About

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

If you have spent years feeling like your body is a place that does not feel safe, a problem to be solved, or a project to be managed—I’m so glad you’re here.

I am deeply passionate about supporting individuals navigating:

  • Disordered Eating & Body Shame: For those exhausted by the unrelenting pressure to look a certain way and struggling with their relationship with food.

  • Trauma & Nervous System Healing: Whether it be a singular overwhelming event or a long history of abuse, neglect, and attachment wounding.

In my experience, these paths are deeply intertwined. Often, a struggle with food and body image is the nervous system's way of searching for the safety it lacked during trauma. By using somatic therapy, we work to bridge this gap—helping you process stored trauma and repair your relationship with your body from the inside out.

While these issues often overlap, I am equally honored to work with clients who wish to focus on trauma recovery or eating disorder recovery individually. You don’t have to struggle with both to deserve a space to heal.

My Path: From the Gym to the Therapy Room

My journey into this work started in a somewhat unconventional place. After earning my degree in Health and Human Performance, I spent seven years as a trauma- and eating disorder-informed weightlifting coach.

It was in that role that I witnessed the inseparable link between the mind and the body. I watched how a person’s nervous system would react to a heavy lift, and I listened as clients explained how deep body shame made them feel unwelcome or unsafe in fitness spaces.

Teaching people to move from an empowered, joyful, and body-neutral lens was fulfilling, but I recognized my ability to help was limited. I realized that to truly help people in the way I hoped to, I needed to bridge the gap between body and mind. This inspired me to pursue my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Northwest Nazarene University, emphasizing trauma, grief, and crisis along with acceptance and mindfulness informed therapies.

Today, I don't just look at your "symptoms"—I look at the whole, living story of your body. My practice is guided by one core belief: Your body is not a problem to be solved, but a wise ally to be understood.

How We Work Together

I use an integrative, body-centered approach. This means that while talk therapy is a part of the process, we also go beyond traditional talk therapy to process experiences through the nervous system. I weave together three core, evidence-based modalities tailored to each of my clients’ unique needs:

  • Somatic Experiencing (SE): We track your body’s internal language to gently process trauma, leading to greater resilience and embodiment.

  • Internal Family Systems (IFS): We get to know the different "parts" of you—like your inner critic or your anxious part—to build self-compassion and inner acceptance.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): We work on flexibility, helping you develop a better relationship with your thoughts and reconnect with your deeply held values to create a rich, meaningful life.

I also enjoy drawing other therapy modalities such as from Polyvagal Theory and Compassion-Focused Therapy when I feel like it will benefit my client.

Specialized Focus Areas

Food Freedom & Body Neutrality: If you are exhausted by the mental load of chronic dieting, disordered eating, and the constant pressure to shrink, you aren't alone. As a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and HAES-aligned therapist, I provide a weight-neutral space where we deconstruct body shame. We work toward a place where your body is no longer a project to be fixed.

Trauma & Somatic Healing: The lasting effects of traumatic experiences can show up as perfectionism, people-pleasing, struggling with boundaries, chronic anxiety, constant fatigue, feeling disconnected from one's body, over-achievement, and intense feelings of shame. Healing isn't just an intellectual process; it happens in the nervous system. I am currently an Advanced-level Somatic Experiencing (SE) trainee, which means our work goes beyond traditional talk therapy. Whether you are processing a specific history of trauma or a general sense of disconnection or overwhelm, we work together to track your body’s internal language, gently working towards in increased sense of internal safety and a trusting relationship with your nervous system.

Yeah, I am big nerd at heart! (and I love being one)

I am committed to being a lifelong learner. I have a stack of “to be read” books at all times. Currently, I am:

  • Pursuing a postgraduate certification in Eating Disorder Treatment.

  • In my Advanced year of Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner (SEP) training (having completed Beginning levels I, II, and III, and Intermediate levels I, II, & III).

Outside the Office

When I’m not in the therapy room, you can find me spending time with my family, taking my dog on long walks, weightlifting, drinking coffee, or dancing the night away at a music festival. I also attend my own counseling regularly, as doing my own work is essential to bringing my most grounded self to our sessions.

A Note on Inclusivity

Inclusivity is one of my core values. I am committed to providing a safe, affirming space for all sexual orientations, genders, body sizes, relationship structures, and personal beliefs.

Healing doesn't always have to be heavy. While we will delve into deep topics, I welcome humor and lightness. A shared laugh is one of my favorite ways to connect, and I want you to feel fully comfortable showing up exactly as you are.

Qualifications

Education

  • Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University

    • Emphasis in Trauma, Grief, 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