About

Hello! My name is Alexandra Runnoe, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (license number 7271363) in the state of Idaho.

My Background

My journey into this work started pretty uniquely. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Performance, I spent seven years as a trauma and eating disorder-informed weightlifting coach. My time spent as a coach truly opened my eyes to the profound connection between our physical and emotional worlds. I witnessed how much moving the body could impact a person’s well-being, and how deeply emotional states could manifest in the body. Inspired, I pursued my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University where I received an emphasis in trauma, grief, and crisis as well as in acceptance and mindfulness-informed therapies.

Population I am Passionate About Working With

I have a deep passion for working with two core populations: individuals healing from trauma and individuals struggling with eating disorders, chronic dieting, and body shame. While I am here to help you if you are dealing with only one of these issues, it is incredibly common for individuals to be struggling with both. Often, those experiencing chronic dieting, body shame, or an eating disorder also carry the weight of past trauma—whether from unresolved childhood trauma (like neglect, abuse, or attachment wounding) or adult trauma (such as accidents, violence, domestic abuse, or the sudden unexpected loss of a loved one). Beyond disordered eating and body shame, the lasting effects of traumatic experiences can also show up as perfectionism, chronic anxiety, constant fatigue, feeling disconnected from one's body, over-achievement, and intense feelings of shame. Despite how painful these experiences are, I believe that deep healing is absolutely possible. I am committed to supporting my clients move from a place of struggle toward a renewed sense of wholeness and embodiment.

My Approach to Therapy

My approach deeply honors the connection between your mind, body, and emotions. My foundation for healing integrates three core, evidence-based modalities: Somatic Experiencing (SE), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This holistic combination allows us to facilitate deep, embodied healing by addressing your experience on a cognitive, emotional, and physiological level. I also selectively draw upon tools and concepts from approaches like Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Polyvagal Theory to create a therapeutic experience that is personalized for your unique journey. (To learn more about Somatic Experiencing, please see section called somatic psychotherapy.)

In our work, we go beyond talk therapy to process experiences through the nervous system. Through Somatic Experiencing (SE), I support you in gently processing trauma through the body, leading to greater resilience and embodiment. Using Internal Family Systems (IFS), you'll gain a deeper understanding of the different parts of yourself (like your inner critic or anxious part) to build self-compassion and inner acceptance. Finally, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tools help you cultivate greater cognitive flexibility and connect with your deeply held values to create a rich, value-led life.

While we'll certainly delve into serious and meaningful topics, I also believe that healing doesn't have to be solely serious! When appropriate and helpful, I welcome humor and lightness into our sessions. A shared laugh can be incredibly powerful. My aim is for clients to feel fully comfortable to show up as they are, including their capacity for goofiness and lightness. As inclusivity is one of my core values, I am LGBTQIA+ affirming and supportive of diverse relationship structures.

My Commitment to Lifelong Learning

I am committed to being a lifelong learner— I am a big nerd at heart! So, I am currently pursing a post-graduate certification in Eating Disorder Treatment to deepen my knowledge in supporting clients with their relationship with food and their body. I am also undergoing advanced training in the somatic psychotherapy world by working towards obtaining my Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP) certification. I am now in my advanced year of the SEP training, having completed the Beginning (levels I, II, & III) and Intermediate (levels I, II, & III) years of this trauma training!

Outside of the Office

In my free time, I love spending time with my family, taking my dog on long walks, weight lifting, drinking coffee, reading a good book in cozy socks, baking and cooking, or dancing the night away at a music festival. You can also find me attending my own counseling! Doing my own work is essential in helping me to bring my most grounded self to sessions :)

Qualifications

Education

  • Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University

    • Emphasis in Trauma and Crisis

    • Emphasis in Acceptance and Mindfulness Informed Therapies

  • Bachelors in Health and Human Performance from The College of Idaho

Training and Certifications

  • Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor

Training and Certifications in Progress:

  • Somatic Experiencing Practitioner certification training through Somatic Experiencing International

    • I have completed the beginner and intermediate years of this training and am now in my advanced year.

  • Certification in Eating Disorder Treatment through Lewis & Clark College