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Trauma Therapist & EMDR Specialist in Eagan, MN

Alex McLeod, MSW, LICSW, is a trauma-informed therapist and EMDR specialist in Eagan, MN. He treats adults with PTSD, trauma, OCD, ADHD, anxiety, and mood disorders using evidence-based approaches including EMDR, CBT, and DBT. With a warm, grounded, and authentic presence, he helps clients feel understood, respected, and empowered from the very first session.

About Alex McLeod, LICSW

Alex is a highly skilled EMDR therapist in Eagan, MN who specializes in trauma, PTSD, OCD, ADHD, and mood disorders. He brings a warm, grounded, and authentic presence to therapy, helping clients feel understood, respected, and empowered from the moment they sit down with him.

Clients appreciate Alex’s relatable style, strong clinical skillset, and evidence-based approach. As a result, his passion lies in helping people uncover resilience, reduce emotional overwhelm, and create meaningful change in their lives.

Specialties & Clinical Focus

Alex provides therapy for adults seeking support with:

Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and other mood disorders
PTSD and trauma recovery
OCD, intrusive thoughts, and rumination
ADHD, restlessness, and focus difficulties
Emotional regulation challenges
Anxiety, stress, and social withdrawal

In addition, Alex specializes in supporting individuals whose partners or parents have Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) or Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD).

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Evidence-Based Treatment Methods

Alex uses research-supported therapeutic interventions, including:

DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)

Helps clients regulate emotions, manage stress, and improve relationships.

CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)

Builds awareness of unhelpful thinking patterns and teaches practical coping skills.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Alex is fully trained with 2 years of certification in EMDR — a highly regarded trauma therapy that requires more than 18 months of training and supervised practice. Furthermore, he uses EMDR to treat both trauma and non-trauma concerns, such as rumination, stuck thoughts, and emotional reactivity.

Alex’s Therapy Approach

Alex blends warmth, humor, and evidence-based techniques to create a comfortable and effective therapeutic experience. Clients describe therapy with Alex as:

Grounded and validating
Relatable, informal, and authentic
Insightful and goal-oriented
Challenging when needed, but always supportive

He often reminds clients:

“We often can’t accept who we are if we reject the reality of how we are. Rejecting how we are stymies who we wish to become.”

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Education & Professional Experience

Alex graduated at the top of his class from St. Catherine University with a Master of Social Work (MSW). Early in his career, he worked in correctional settings supporting adolescents and adults with significant trauma backgrounds.

Notably, he is featured on the cover of IMPAAKT Magazine’s “Most Influential Mental Health Leaders” Edition for his clinical excellence and dedication to trauma-informed care. Beyond his strong educational background, he is known for his work ethic, his commitment to clients, and his ability to stay present in even the most challenging therapeutic work.

Who Alex Works Best With

Alex is a great fit for adults who appreciate:

A casual, honest, conversational therapy style
A blend of humor and direct insight
A therapist who is invested, engaged, and not afraid to challenge you
Emotional exploration paired with practical skill-building

He is especially helpful for people who:

Feel “stuck” or overwhelmed
Want to feel more like themselves again but don’t know where to start
Struggle with focus, restlessness, or worry
Have trouble being present or following through on tasks
Are ready to make changes for themselves — not to please others

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Personal Life

Outside the office, Alex enjoys martial arts, Jiu Jitsu competitions, collecting Pokémon cards, spending time with his family, playing guitar “imperfectly,” and searching for the perfect hot wings. He brings the same curiosity, dedication, and compassion from his personal life into his work with every client.

Start Therapy With Alex

If you are ready to gain clarity, build emotional resilience, and become the person you have always sensed you could be, Alex is here to help. Request an appointment today to begin your therapy journey.

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Insurance and Payment Options

Alex accepts the following plans: Optum (Medica, UMR, UBH), HealthPartners, Cigna, UCare, BCBS, Aetna, Sanford Health, First Health, and private pay (HSA or major credit card).

For more info check out our Insurance and Rates Page.

Self-Pay Rate (Opting Out of Insurance)

2026 rate: $175 (53–55 min session)

This fee reflects choosing not to use insurance and paying out of pocket for your service.

For active clients, please message Alex in the client portal. Because ongoing clinical matters discussed outside of session raise HIPAA concerns, he discourages regular email and phone contact. Therefore, portal messaging is always the preferred form of communication.

For crisis or urgent situations, please call 911 for an emergency. For urgent mental health support when your therapist is not available, call the national crisis number at 988.