Meet Alexa Hall | LCSW & Therapist in San Diego, California

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexa Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexa, as a parent, what do you feel is the most meaningful thing you’ve done for them?
The most important thing I have done to positively impact my child’s life has been to work on my mental health. Without disclosing too much, I’ll say there’s untreated substance abuse, trauma, and mental health issues woven through my family system, and that’s created some pretty dysfunctional intergenerational patterns. I started therapy in my mid-twenties after a string of upsetting events forced me to realize I was the common denominator in my problems. I wasn’t living in alignment with my values, and I was coping with and relating to myself and other people in ways that weren’t actually who I was. A lot of that came from my environment and the family system I grew up in. Of course, free will exists, and I’m responsible for my own actions. I take accountability for my missteps, and there have been many… hahahaha. Okay, back to the question.
I believe in healing, and I believe that healing leads to healthier relationships and ultimately a healthier world. It starts with doing the work on ourselves.
I’m proud to say I still see my therapist regularly, and that relationship has been genuinely profound in every part of my life. I’m going to keep doing this work because how I show up as a parent reflects who I am in the world and the values I’m instilling in my daughter.
And since I’m here: go to therapy. Everyone should. It lets you show up in your relationships as the most authentic, real version of yourself.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Trailstone Therapy is all about self-discovery and forging your own path forward, a path that actually feels true to you. The name itself is intentional, life isn’t a straight line, it’s more like blazing a trail. You’re going to hit rocky terrain, you’re going to have to reroute sometimes, but the point is you’re the one carving the way forward, not following someone else’s map of who you’re supposed to be.
What sets me apart is that I’m not just doing this work from a textbook, I’m doing it because I’ve lived it. I know what it’s like to be the common denominator in your own chaos, to realize the patterns you grew up with aren’t the patterns you have to keep. That lived experience shapes how I show up with the people I work with. I’m not asking anyone to do anything I haven’t done myself.
Has it been easy? Honestly, no. My biggest challenge this whole journey has been my own negative self-talk. “I can’t do this.” That inner critic is loud, and she has kept me from being seen more times than I’d like to admit. I’ve had to do a lot of fighting, and then eventually a lot of not fighting, with her. Working with myself and with my own therapist has helped me push past that limiting inner dialogue. Being honest and compassionate with myself instead of just trying to white-knuckle through it.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you don’t beat fear and anxiety into submission, you sit with them. I used to fight my fear like it was the enemy. Now I try to understand that it’s just trying to protect me from failure, and that’s okay. It’s allowed to be there, it just doesn’t get to drive.
What I want the world to know about Trailstone Therapy is that it’s a space for self-discovery, not perfection. You’re allowed to forge a path that’s actually yours, even if it doesn’t look like anyone else’s.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1: We’d start at La Jolla Cove in the morning to see the seals and sea lions, then head to Windansea Beach for some real beach time. Dinner at Rocky’s in PB for a burger, because that’s non-negotiable, and we’d cap the night watching the sunset at Sunset Cliffs because it’s basically free therapy and you have to do it at least once.
Day 2: Morning at the Hillcrest farmers market, grab seasonal produce and picnic food, then head east to Palomar Mountain for a hike. We’d do our picnic up there or on the drive back down. That night, hang out at home, relax, and play Catan.
Day 3: Last day, Balboa Park or the San Diego Zoo, then Convoy Street for dinner- I’m thinking Korean BBQ!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This one goes to my husband. He’s been my biggest support, and he shows up for me without judgment, even in my most raw, unfiltered moments. He always believes in me, and our relationship has taught me more about trust and love than anything else in my life.
I also want to give a huge shoutout to my therapist. She has helped me tremendously. I’m always striving to show up as my true self in this world, and she’s supported me in breaking through my limiting beliefs and creating real safety, both within myself and in my world.

Website: https://www.trailstonetherapy.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexahall29/

Other: https://www.psychologytoday.com/profile/1571496
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Image Credits
Alexa Hall LCSW, Therapist in San Diego Sitting Smiling Wearing white shirt with black dots. Photographed by Lauren Hoskins @Sweetpotatophotography.
Alexa Hall LCSW Therapist in San Diego wearing aWhite shirt, black background. Professional Headshot by Rich Soublet Photography