Alex Findlay, ASW #124231

My Story

For a long time, I knew what it was like to struggle internally without quite knowing what to do with what I was feeling. I was a sensitive kid, and as I got older, I began using drugs and alcohol as a way to manage emotions that often felt overwhelming.

During college, those struggles became severe enough that I could no longer ignore them, marking the beginning of a much deeper process of recovery and self-understanding.

Over the last 15 years, therapy, peer support, lifestyle changes, meditation, and recovery have all played important roles in helping me build a life that feels stable and meaningful. On April 1st, 2026 I celebrated eight years of sobriety—no fooling.

I began my career in the corporate world, but I gradually realized that the most meaningful parts of my life were the ones centered on connection and the relationships I had built through recovery. Over time, I felt increasingly drawn toward work where I could engage with people more honestly and contribute to something that felt more personal and meaningful.

Over the last seven years, I’ve worked with a wide range of clients, including people navigating addiction, involvement with the criminal justice system, military life, adolescence, and individuals experiencing significant emotional and relational challenges. 

My professional experience matters to me, but so does knowing what it feels like to sit on the other side of the room. During my own recovery, I was fortunate to work with several clinicians who had a profound impact on my life. They helped me understand that change wasn’t about becoming an entirely different person. It was about learning how to relate to myself and my experiences differently.

That is what I hope to offer you. Your story will be different from mine, but you shouldn’t have to figure everything out alone. I hope therapy can become a place where you feel understood, challenged, supported, and increasingly able to build a life that feels like your own.

My Commitments to You

I’ll approach you as an individual, not as a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. Your history, personality, relationships, and goals are uniquely your own, and I want our work together to reflect that.

I’ll also work collaboratively with you. We’ll make sense of what you’re going through together, identify what feels important to change, and find approaches that fit you.

I’ll meet you with compassion, including around the parts of your story you may have learned to judge, hide, or feel ashamed of. And when change feels slow or difficult, I’ll continue to hold hope for your ability to heal, grow, and build a life that feels more manageable and meaningful.

My Life Outside Work

Creativity has always been a major part of my life. I grew up playing trumpet and piano, and today I enjoy producing music, going to concerts, and discovering new artists.

I also love being outdoors. With some encouragement from my brother, I’ve gradually gone from being a casual hiker to an avid backpacker. Our annual trips have taken us along sections of the John Muir Trail, through Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and as far as Banff in Canada.

Spirituality and personal development are also important parts of my life. I first began meditating in college after taking a course in Buddhist psychology and have since attended retreats in both the Zen and Vipassana traditions. As someone who has dealt personally with headaches and migraines, meditation has also become a practical way for me to manage stress and stay grounded.

Outside of my work at Sonder, I lead meditation workshops, teach yoga, and volunteer with hospice patients. At home, I have two cats, and earlier this year I also became an uncle.

If my story resonates with you and you think I may be of help, I’d love to offer you a free consultation where we can get to know each other a bit more and you can decide whether you want to move on with scheduling our first session.