Alis Africano

Compassionate, skill-based therapy for life transitions

MD, LCPC Maryland

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English, Spanish

About Alis

Alis Africano is a licensed Maryland therapist with 15 years of experience who works with people navigating stress, anxiety, relationship tensions, family conflict, trauma, mood disorders, and a range of life transitions.

Background and approach

She frames clients as the experts in their own lives and builds on existing strengths to address concerns such as grief, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem issues, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and multicultural or immigration-related stressors. Her approach draws from several evidence-informed methods, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).

She emphasizes collaboration and practical skill-building while attending to deeper attachment, abandonment, control, and communication patterns that can influence relationships and family dynamics. Additional focus areas include domestic violence, fatherhood issues, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), and problems rooted in family of origin.

Fluent in English and Spanish, Alis offers flexible online options to reach clients across regions. She describes therapy as a courageous step toward a more fulfilling life and aims to support and empower people as they work toward meaningful change.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Alis integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into online work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and developing concrete coping strategies to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression. ACT emphasizes values-driven action and acceptance skills to help people move forward despite difficult thoughts or emotions.

Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to clarify goals, test strategies, and adjust methods over time so the plan matches each person’s needs, preferences, and life circumstances.

Online therapy is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing flexibility around schedules and geography. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care during life transitions and to practice skills between sessions, while enabling connection with a licensed professional from Maryland whether clients are local or located internationally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

The practice works with a broad set of issues including stress, anxiety, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, depression, mood disorders including bipolar, grief, parenting and fatherhood concerns, ADHD, and multicultural or immigration-related challenges.

How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?

The clinician uses collaborative, strengths-based work combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), ACT, Client-Centered Therapy, and DBT to teach coping skills and explore underlying patterns like attachment, control, and communication problems.

What is the therapist's background and experience level?

The clinician holds an MD and an LCPC and brings 15 years of professional experience supporting people through a variety of emotional and relational concerns.

Where is the therapist licensed and what are the credentials?

She is licensed in Maryland and lists the credentials MD and LCPC with license number MD LCPC LC3303.

In which languages can clients receive services?

Services are offered in both English and Spanish, and the therapist accepts clients from other countries as well.

What session formats are available for therapy?

Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse Depression

Also works with

LGBTGriefParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCoping with life changes ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Domestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesGuilt and shameImmigration issuesImpulsivityLife purposeMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

Maryland

Languages

English, Spanish