Alexis Buckheit, LPC, LCPC, PMH-C

Alexis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor in VA, DC, and MD, and is the Clinical Director at Balanceworks Counseling. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University, followed by her Masters in Mental Health Counseling at Fordham University.

With over ten years of experience, Alexis has expertise in working with various mental health concerns including eating disorders, perinatal mental health, relationship concerns, anxiety, depression, and trauma. Prior to joining Balanceworks in 2019, Alexis worked as a primary therapist providing individual and group therapy in Eating Disorder treatment centers at the residential, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient levels of care, as well as at a university setting providing individual therapy to students with various mental health concerns.

Alexis has extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and bottom-up trauma processing techniques including somatic experiencing (SE). She has completed the Level I Trauma Certificate Program through the Ferentz Institute and is a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International.

Alexis particularly enjoys working with moms and individuals who are hoping to improve their relationship with food and their bodies, are confronting major life transitions like motherhood, and managing the impacts of trauma, anxiety, and depression on relationships. Alexis believes that the issues we struggle with begin as ways to protect us and deserve healing and compassion rather than judgment.

Alexis is a member of the Virginia Mental Health Counselors Association (VAMHCA), the International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals (IAEDP), and Postpartum Support International (PSI). Alexis is licensed in The District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia to provide therapy and is approved to provide clinical supervision to counseling residents in Virginia and The District of Columbia.

Working with Alexis

Have you been struggling with feelings of self-doubt, thought spirals you can’t get out of, or battling a harsh inner critic? You may notice yourself striving for perfection in your life or in relational patterns that center people-pleasing and reassurance seeking. This can be exhausting and lead to feeling unfulfilled and unsure of yourself. I believe the unfulfilling patterns we find ourselves in are often deeply rooted protective mechanisms that are no longer serving us. We will work together to understand these mechanisms and develop healthier ways of coping and relating.

At the start of therapy, my clients often question if they are enough as a mom, partner, friend, professional or family member. I can help you let go of unhelpful behaviors and patterns that leave you feeling inadequate through developing self-trust and flexibility in how you approach yourself and your life. I provide a warm, supportive, and authentic environment to do the hard therapy work that creates lasting change in your life.

Whether you’re a new mom feeling lost or wondering what you’re doing wrong, feeling out of control with food and your body, or struggling to create healthy, lasting relationships, I can help you develop coping skills and a deeper understanding of yourself to navigate these challenges.

Clinical Approach

No matter how stuck you feel in your current struggles, I believe healing is possible. You deserve to work with someone who not only has expertise in the areas you need support, but also feels like someone you can build trust and safety with. Through warmth, authenticity, and a little humor, I create a space for clients to feel comfortable being completely themselves in their most vulnerable moments.

My clients often struggle with people-pleasing, perfectionism, and self-trust impacting their relationship with others, with food, with their bodies, and with themselves. In therapy I utilize a strengths-based, person centered approach. I believe you are the expert on yourself, and my role as your therapist is to support and guide you to meet your goals through the development of coping skills and insight.

I take an integrative approach utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), traditional talk therapy, and bottom-up trauma processing techniques including somatic experiencing (SE) to help clients meet their goals.

Peer Endorsements:

From Psychology Today:

“Alexis is a highly skilled therapist with extensive training in treating eating disorders & perinatal mental health. I trust her wholeheartedly with client referrals and truly value collaborating with her as a colleague. She has my highest recommendation.” – Caitlin Magidson, MS, NCC, LCPC

“Alexis and I have collaborated on several cases, and I am always impressed with her knowledge and skill set, especially around Eating Disorders. I'm proud to call her a colleague and trust that clients are in safe hands when working with her.” – Jennifer Semaan, LPC, MA, EdS

“Alexis is passionate about helping clients recover from eating disorders and heal their relationships with food and their bodies. She is warm and compassionate as she works with clients toward their goals.” – Lindsay Everhart, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C

“Alexis is an amazing therapist with training and experience in eating disorders and perinatal mental health. She is also a great supervisor and leader. She is warm and easy to connect with. I refer to her often and highly recommend her!” – Alexis Guerrero, LCSW

“Alexis is genuinely empathetic and easy to talk to. She is a fantastic therapist, especially with treating eating disorders. I highly recommend Alexis, you will not be disappointed!” –

Erin Henley, LICSW, MSW