Dr. Alexandra Varela, PhD, LPC, NCC

Dr. Varela is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Pennsylvania, and a Nationally Certified Counselor as well as an Adjunct Professor. Dr. Varela provides therapeutic services to adolescents and adults utilizing evidenced based interventions through a lens of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with a focus on personal empowerment. Additionally, she has extensive training in harm reduction principles that are applied therapeutic goals and interventions. Dr. Varela, a native New Orleanian, earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Masters of Education Degree in Counseling from the University of New Orleans. She then earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Duquesne University in 2017. Her clinical work has focused on both the juvenile and adult incarcerated populations, with additional emphasis on the intersectionality of mental health, addiction, and behavior. Dr. Varela specializes in addiction, behavioral modification, deviance, antisocial behavior, trauma, and personal empowerment. Dr. Varela practices from a non-judgmental stance and believes in building a collaborative relationship with clients as they work toward their therapeutic goals.