About Our Practice
About Alan Axelrod
I am a licensed psychotherapist whose work is informed by decades of clinical practice, Zen Buddhist training, and lived experience. My approach is grounded, relational, and oriented toward helping individuals develop clarity, authenticity, and self-trust rather than conformity or performance.
I work with people who are interested in meaningful inner work — not quick fixes or prefabricated answers — and who are willing to engage honestly with themselves and their lives.
Professional Background
My clinical work draws from extensive training and experience in psychotherapy, with a focus on depth-oriented, reflective practice. Over the years, I have worked with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, inner conflict, life transitions, questions of meaning, and challenges related to identity and self-understanding.
Rather than relying on formulaic methods, I approach psychotherapy as a thoughtful and responsive process — one that respects the complexity of each person and the circumstances they bring into the room.
Zen Buddhist Training & Lineage
In addition to my clinical training, I am a Zen Buddhist teacher (Roshi), having completed formal studies and training within the Zen tradition. Zen practice is not separate from my professional life; it informs how I understand human experience, suffering, change, and growth.
Zen Buddhism emphasizes direct experience, disciplined attention, and the development of discernment. These principles shape how I listen, how I engage, and how I support others in cultivating awareness and responsibility in their own lives.
Therapy Informed by Zen
Zen Buddhism does not function here as belief or ideology. It is a lived practice that emphasizes presence, honesty, and the willingness to meet life as it is. In psychotherapy, this translates into an approach that values awareness over avoidance.
While mindfulness is often discussed in modern therapy, Zen practice goes beyond technique. It offers a way of relating to experience that supports deeper insight and more intentional responses to life’s challenges.
Authenticity & Personal Agency
A central theme in my work is authenticity — understood not as self-expression alone, but as living in alignment with one’s own values and experience. Therapy is not about becoming who others want you to be, nor about adopting someone else’s idea of health or success.
Instead, the work supports individuals in recognizing who they are, understanding the patterns that shape their lives, and developing the capacity to choose how they respond rather than reacting automatically.
A Personal Note
I understand that choosing a therapist is a significant decision. The relationship matters, and the work requires trust, respect, and honesty. My intention is to offer a space where people can engage thoughtfully with themselves and their lives, without pressure to perform or conform.
If you are drawn to an approach grounded in presence, authenticity, and depth, this work may be a good fit.