Ali Casanova’s work as a therapist is grounded in the belief that healing happens when people feel safe enough to be honest with themselves and with others. Her approach honors each person’s lived experiences and centers their strengths to support meaningful and lasting change.
Ali earned her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Gender Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi and her Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida State University. She has experience across a wide range of settings, including private practice, community mental health, residential treatment centers, and domestic violence shelters.
Her professional experiences and training have shaped a deep understanding of how trauma, survival strategies, and relationship patterns develop—and how resilience can grow when individuals are supported within validating and compassionate environments.
Ali works with individuals who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected, including neurodivergent clients who may have felt misunderstood in more traditional therapeutic settings. Her approach is collaborative and flexible, adapting therapy to meet each client’s unique needs, communication styles, and nervous system responses.
She utilizes evidence-based modalities such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). These approaches focus on building practical, real-life skills while also addressing deeper trauma, fostering emotional flexibility, self-compassion, and alignment with personal values.
Ali also integrates body-based awareness and somatic practices to help clients reconnect with their bodies and increase nervous system awareness. This work supports clients in identifying what and who feels safe, as well as establishing boundaries that align with their therapeutic goals.
Whether clients are healing from painful past experiences, working toward recovery from addiction, or seeking greater clarity and purpose in their lives, Ali views therapy as a calm and intentional space for growth. She believes healing is possible through connection, at a sustainable pace, and by honoring the wisdom of both the mind and the body.
