Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ali Dubin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ali, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’re complete cheeseballs and so we love asking folks to share the most heartwarming moment from their career – do you have a touching moment you can share with us?

As I write this, I am especially grateful and feel lucky to be doing what I love, what I truly feel like I was meant to do. Sometimes, in my field, magic happens and you just know that you and the client are a fit. That what you are doing and saying is making a difference and that positive transformation is happening. I had been seeing young Levi (not his real name) alone for individual therapy for years before he asked if he could bring in his girlfriend for the occasional couples session. I love when clients bring in people who matter to them to do relational work. Monthly sessions with the couple transitioned to Couples Therapy shortly before Levi proposed to her and stopped coming individually, prioritizing the relationship. This young couple did the hard work that it takes to attune, listen, communicate, and show up for each other. It was impressive and inspiring. What I witnessed between them over the years set a new bar for what I could imagine for other couples, myself included. So, the day they asked me to officiate their destination wedding was heartwarming and emotional. I’ve officiated for other couples – friends and clients (that’s a special part of the journey, sometimes). I wholeheartedly accepted; I marry them this weekend.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I didn’t know it then, but at 18 and a first year student at UC, Santa Cruz, a Humanistic Psychology class was the first stepping stone on my path to doing what I love so much today. Sitting in a big circle in the middle of the forest under giant 100-year-old redwood trees – we met for group therapy. I transferred after that year to CSU, Northridge and got a BA in Deaf Studies (with an emphasis in The Arts and Education). I thought I would teach Deaf children. I went on to get my teaching credential and during my two semesters of student teaching, I found myself far more interested in why one child was a perfectionist, another refused to sit on their carpet square, which child was isolated on the yard, and why another couldn’t pay attention. Don’t get me started on my study of their parents! I quickly realized I did not want to be a classroom teacher. After completing my credential, I started my Masters program in Marriage and Family Therapy. I began working with individuals, couples, and families – earning my hours towards licensure and raising my two daughters. I graduated with my Masters in 1997, pregnant with my first daughter. In 2018, I completed my doctorate in Psychology – Marriage and Family Therapy. It was during my doctoral program that I discovered Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy. That, along with working with fabulous individuals, is what I do today that brings me immense joy.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Not a chance! I love what I do and feel certain that it’s what I am meant to be doing.

The only thing I might have done differently, is that I would have done the one extra year of my doctoral program in order to be a clinical psychologist. Same number of hours to train, but I would have been dealing with the Board of Psychology rather than the Board of Behavioral Sciences.

Well, if I could sing, I’d be a singer, but…

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Most of my clients were referred by my current or former clients. Many of my clients are also therapists. Therefore, the best way for me to build my clientele is to do my best with the clients I have and really attune to each person in the way I would like my therapist to attune to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dralidubin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askalicounseling/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dralidubin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-dubin-psyd-lmft-5a94184/