Alex Boersen: Redline Recovery Counselling and EMDR (He/Him)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, MSW, RSW
In-Person in Stratford, ON N5A 4J4
Online in
Ontario
I’m a Registered Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University and founder of Redline Recovery Counselling and EMDR. I work with individuals facing anxiety, depression, burnout, addiction, trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. I especially support men, youth, rural communities, and those in high-stress roles like first responders, healthcare workers, and frontline social service staff, creating a space where clients feel safe, understood, and supported.
My approach is warm, collaborative, and combines evidence-based modalities with insight from my own mental health journey. Using therapies like ACT, IFS, CBT, attachment-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, CBT for trauma, and EMDR. I ask people to come in with honesty, an open mind, and a willingness to change and participate in trying something new.
I’ve worked in hospitals, with the OPP, and in community mental health, giving insight into high-stress and crisis settings. I also provide ketamine-assisted therapy with Field Trip Health Waterloo. Originally from rural Perth County, I enjoy life with my wife, daughter, two dogs, and staying active through running, weight lifting, fishing, and the outdoors.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Teen, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Men, Military / Veterans clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) Helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings instead of fighting them, while committing to actions that reflect their values. It blends mindfulness with practical behavior strategies.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) A structured therapy that uses guided eye movements to help process traumatic memories. It is widely recognized for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS) Helps clients heal by working with different ‘parts’ of themselves, like inner critics or wounded children. It fosters harmony within the self.
- Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Combines low doses of ketamine with psychotherapy to treat depression, trauma, and anxiety. It can provide relief when other methods haven’t worked.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) A collaborative, client-centered approach that strengthens motivation for change. It is especially effective for addictions and health behaviors.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
- Somatic Therapy Helps clients notice how emotions are stored in the body. It uses breath, movement, and awareness for healing trauma and stress.
Approach Description: I take a personalized approach to counselling , meeting you where you’re at and finding what works best for you, we’ll build a plan that fits your goals, your pace, and your reality. Our focus is on real-world tools, evidence-based therapy, and creating space to reset, recover, and move forward. I use different methods depending on what you’re dealing with and what feels like a fit for you.
Education & Credentials
Alex Boersen: Redline Recovery Counselling and EMDR MSW, RSW
- Male
- License # 849028
- Licensed in Ontario
- Practicing Since 2023
Education: Master of Social Work graduate, awarded a scholarship for being the most promising social work student entering the second year of the program.
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee 160
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- At Redline Recovery, I know that many people who give their time and energy to others rarely take time for themselves. To help make support more accessible, volunteer firefighters, social service workers, and those employed by non-profit organizations receive 20% off all therapy sessions. It’s a small way to give back to those who spend their days serving their communities.
- Accepts Insurance
- I provide receipts for all sessions, which you can submit to your insurance or benefits provider for reimbursement.
Alex Boersen: Redline Recovery Counselling and EMDR Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in Stratford, ON N5A 4J4
- Available Online for residents of Ontario
- Online Therapy Details: Appointments are available through Jane. Please visit the booking page on my website to choose a time that works for you. If you don’t see a suitable time, feel free to reach out directly.
Redline Recovery was born in a moment of pressure, stress, and burnout.
At the time, I was working as a Social Worker on a Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), responding to mental health emergencies alongside the Ontario Provincial Police. That day, I was in the front seat of a cruiser, en route to a suicide call. The lights were flashing, the sirens blaring, and the engine was redlining. The officer behind the wheel was white-knuckled — tense, focused, and emotionally maxed out.
And so was I.
We were rushing to support someone who had also reached their limit — someone in crisis. In that moment, it hit me: we were all in the red. The officer, the person we were trying to help, and myself. Different roles, different uniforms, but the same emotional threshold. The same silent overload.
Time and again, I’ve witnessed people pushed to the brink — especially those living with anxiety, depression, and trauma; first responders and frontline workers; men who push it all down; individuals in rural communities; people without an outlet. So often, there’s no space to process, decompress, or begin to heal.