Works with
How Al works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- MD, LCPC
- Licensed in
- Maryland
- Years in practice
- 12
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Al
Al Balaa, MD, LCPC, is a Maryland-based clinician with 12 years of experience helping people untangle strong emotions. He focuses on practical steps that reduce overwhelm and help people regain a sense of control. He emphasizes self-compassion and clearer purpose as part of emotional healing.
Clients come for help with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, and the fallout from trauma and grief. He also addresses challenges like low self-esteem, compassion fatigue, addiction concerns, bipolar mood issues, and trouble adjusting to life changes.
Background and approach
He pays attention to feelings of guilt, shame, and the search for meaning. His style blends listening with concrete skills. Sessions balance empathetic conversation with tools people can try between meetings.
He uses approaches such as Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, existential ideas, and hypnotherapy to match each person's needs. People who prefer steady guidance and clear steps tend to do well with his approach. He aims to create a calm, non-judgmental space where difficult memories and hard decisions can be faced.
The work moves at a pace that fits each person. For those concerned about anger or recurring emotional patterns, he helps identify triggers and build new responses. He also supports work on forgiveness, self-love, and finding purpose.
Sessions are offered in English and available to international clients.
What Al works with
Everything Al lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Al's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Compassion fatigue
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- ADHD
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Life purpose
- Self-love
Approaches Al lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Existential Therapy
- Hypnotherapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Approaches that guide online work
Client-Centered Therapy centers on understanding each person's experience and listening without judgment. It helps people feel heard and supports exploration of values and purpose. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical behavioral changes to reduce anxiety and depression. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills for managing intense reactions like anger.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before, then try methods that fit. This is a collaborative process and approaches can be adjusted as progress is made.
Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video works well for in-depth conversations and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or screen time must be reduced. Live chat or text messaging let people check in between appointments or have shorter, more frequent contact when that helps with managing emotions and practicing new skills.
Questions people ask about Al
What concerns does Al Balaa help with?
He supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, anger, self-esteem issues, compassion fatigue, addictions, bipolar mood concerns, career strain, coping with life changes, and ADHD. He also focuses on forgiveness, guilt and shame, life purpose, and self-love.
What is his therapy style like?
His approach blends empathic listening with practical tools. Sessions typically combine conversation with exercises and skills to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 12 years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
What credentials and location are on file?
He holds the credentials MD and LCPC and practices in Maryland.
In which languages are sessions offered and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English, and he accepts international clients.
Which session formats are available?
Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.