My name is Alexandria Rhodes-Fernandes, LMSW. Before becoming a social worker, I earned a degree in English Literature from Harvard University and spent nearly a decade working in the tech industry here in Austin. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I decided to take my career in a new direction, one that allows me to work closely with people and support them directly. I have a thoughtful, compassionate style and strive to create a space where people feel entirely seen and understood. I’m looking forward to connecting with you and sharing more about how I work.
Alexandria Rhodes-Fernandes, LMSW
- Work best with: Adults
- Appointments: Both in-person and telehealth
- Manage Medications: Provides therapy and collaborates closely with our psychiatry team for medication management, available through internal referral if needed.
I approach therapy with the belief that every person’s story is layered, complex, and worth understanding. I have lived through life’s contrasts—joy and sorrow, loss and gain, times of certainty and times of deep questioning. These experiences have shaped my belief that therapy is not just about problem-solving, but about creating a space where we can explore the complexities of being human together. Alongside my personal understanding of these struggles, my professional experience working with children in foster care and with older adults gives me a broad perspective on resilience across the lifespan.
My path to becoming a therapist was not linear, but a turning point in my own family’s healing showed me the power of changing patterns passed down through generations. That experience inspired me, after nearly 10 years in corporate operations, to change careers and pursue a master’s degree in social work so that I could learn to help others more directly.
At the core of my work with people is a commitment to understanding and it is paced accordingly. I know the comfort of being truly seen. For example, when someone remembers your coffee order or notices the small details you’ve shared over time. I believe everyone deserves to know that feeling, particularly when vulnerable. In therapy, my role is to offer that presence and attention. I take the time to understand your unique context, because lasting change rarely comes from quick fixes. Instead, it grows from deep insight and the courage to act on it.
Credentials
Education
Master of Social Work, University of Houston, 2026
Personal Interests
- I have a twin (we’re fraternal and still very close).
- I love making my own handmade soap. It’s a fun, creative outlet and I get to customize it to my liking.
- I’m a proud plant parent to a growing collection of over 30 plants (I am limited only by the size of my home)!
- I am a passionate lifelong learner; these days, my favorite ways to explore new ideas are through documentaries, films, and audiobooks.
Specialties and Expertise
Top Specialities
Anxiety, Self Esteem, Stress, Family Dynamic Issues, Identity Issues
Expertise
- Anxiety
- Attachment Trauma or Insecurity
- Boundaries / Assertiveness
- Career Counseling / Professional Growth
- Conflict with Friends
- Cultural Identity / Acculturation Stress
- Depression
- Existential Issues
- Family Conflict
- Fear of Rejection
- Life Coaching
- Life Transitions
- Not Happy or Satisfied with life
- Overeating
- Perfectionism
- Personal Growth
- Racial Identity
- Racial Trauma
- Religious Trauma
- Self-Esteem / Negative Self-Talk
- Shame
- Shyness / High Sensitivity
- Social Anxiety
- Social Isolation / Loneliness
- Spiritual Growth
- Stress / Burnout
- Women's Issues
Treatment Approach
Types of Therapy
- Attachment-based
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Family Systems
- Motivational Interviewing
- Psychodynamic
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Systems Approach
Client Focus
- Age Groups Served: 18-39
- Services Type: Individuals
- Languages Spoken: English
