Alena O’Connor is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) at Brooklyn Heights Behavioral Associates (BHBA). She works with adolescents and adults experiencing a range of emotional and behavioral challenges, with particular experience treating emotion dysregulation, anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties, high-risk behaviors, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and substance use. Her clinical approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based, with an emphasis on helping clients better understand their patterns, build practical coping skills, and create meaningful, sustainable change.

Alena has training and experience in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Prior to joining BHBA, she worked as a Behavioral Health Clinician on the DBT Track at The Jewish Board, where she provided individual and family therapy using DBT, Motivational Interviewing (MI), and trauma-informed approaches. She also has experience co-facilitating comprehensive DBT skills groups. Alena completed 60 hours of DBT Intensive Training through Behavioral Tech Institute and has pursued additional advanced training in DBT problem-solving and case conceptualization. 

Alena also has specialized experience working with substance use and addiction. At NYU Langone Health, she provided individual counseling through the Inpatient Addiction Consultation Service, conducted biopsychosocial assessments, provided psychoeducation, and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to connect patients with appropriate levels of care. Her experience with adolescents includes providing individual counseling in a New York City public school, where she utilized CBT, DBT skills, and strengths-based approaches to support young people navigating anxiety, grief, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and other emotional challenges. 

Alena earned her Master of Social Work from New York University’s Silver School of Social Work and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Georgetown University. She brings a person-centered and culturally informed perspective to her work and believes effective therapy balances acceptance and validation with opportunities for growth and change. Alena strives to create a space where clients feel genuinely understood while also developing greater confidence in navigating difficult emotions, relationships, and life experiences.