Alexander Beznes, LCSW conducted the entirety of his education and training at NYC institutions with rich histories and strong ties to the city. He continues to honor his social work values by offering pro bono services to Ukrainian refugees with the generous support of the PPSC Refugee Support Program. In the winter of 2024, Alexander created a fundraiser to provide arts scholarships for Ukrainian refugees struggling with isolation.
Professional Background
Alexander’s practice is informed by his extensive background in human services. While he was completing his undergraduate studies in psychology, he believed it was crucial to get real world experience outside of classrooms which led him to volunteer with local institutions with established legacies in the community.
Alexander videotaped music therapy sessions for children with developmental delays at the Nordoff-Robbins Center for Music Therapy. This experience illuminated the potential of expressive arts to bring about meaningful emotional experiences that facilitate healing. He also conducted home visits for isolated seniors in the community through Visiting Neighbors. This was his first experience working directly with people in intimate settings. This experience demonstrated the impact that community-based initiatives can have on providing support for underserved populations.
After graduating college, Alexander worked as a bilingual case manager at Project Renewal’s Third Street Men’s Shelter, a homeless shelter for men with substance abuse issues. After three years of intensive direct contact that included site visits to housing units, Alexander decided to pursue graduate school to build on his experience of working intimately with people and learn how to help them make lasting changes in their lives.
After completing his master’s degree, Alexander interned and worked at a community mental health clinic for six years where he honed his therapeutic approach working with a diverse client population facing a variety of different issues and obstacles. Alexander used this time as an early clinician to hone his skills and develop his therapeutic style before deciding to start his private practice in 2018.
Education and Training
Mr. Beznes earned his master’s degree at New York University Silver School of Social Work and his bachelor’s degree at New York University College of Arts and Science where he was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa National Honors Society after graduating summa cum laude with departmental honors.
Mr. Beznes has completed the one-year introductory program in relational studies at The Steven Mitchell Relational Study Center and regularly attends advanced clinical seminars to stay current with emerging trends in the field. Alexander is committed a diverse therapeutic approach and continues to expand his postgraduate training at institutions like National Institute for the Psychotherapies where he will be starting EMDR training in the Spring of 2025.
