Alexandra De Castro Basto, LMFT

Alexandra De Castro Basto is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 18 years of professional experience. She draws on long-standing work with individuals and families to address stress, anxiety, and depression, and she has specific experience supporting clients with bipolar disorder. Her practice also focuses on family conflicts, motivation, self-esteem, and building confidence, with attention to attachment issues, codependency, communication problems, and family of origin concerns.

Alexandra approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she emphasizes tailoring dialogue and treatment plans to meet each client’s unique needs. She works collaboratively to explore sources of guilt, shame, isolation, and mood-related difficulties while supporting growth in self-love and healthier relationships. Clients may find her approach helpful when navigating divorce and separation, substance use concerns, or patterns that interfere with connection and wellbeing.

Recognizing that beginning therapy takes courage, Alexandra affirms and supports that first step. She offers care in both English and Swedish and adapts her therapeutic focus to fit the priorities and goals that clients bring to the work.

Evidence-based techniques and flexible online care

Alexandra uses a range of evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to the concerns clients bring. Cognitive-focused approaches help people identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem, offering practical tools to manage symptoms and build resilience. Family-focused work attends to relational patterns across couples and families - exploring communication styles, attachment dynamics, and roles that drive conflict so healthier interactions can develop. Skills-oriented emotion regulation strategies support clients with mood disorders and bipolar-related challenges by teaching pacing, coping skills, and ways to recognize and respond to emotional shifts.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Alexandra collaborates with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts methods over time and invites feedback so the work stays practical and relevant.

Online therapy with licensed professionals offers flexibility and accessibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit varied schedules and comfort levels. This range of options makes it easier to maintain continuity of care while working on stress, family issues, mood concerns, and personal growth.