My Approach to Helping
Greetings, I'm thrilled that you've embarked on this journey of self-reflection, growth, and healing. I'm Patricia Alvarado, with over a decade of experience in the helping profession, working with children, teens, and adults. I approach my work through a multicultural lens, allowing me to grasp your unique needs through active listening, empathy, and a non-judgmental perspective.
My specialization lies in EMDR, CBT, Solution-Focused Treatment, and Mindfulness, enabling me to focus on addressing my clients' needs in the present moment to cultivate trust within the therapeutic relationship.
With extensive experience in trauma treatment, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, and substance abuse, I employ an EMDR lens to desensitize and reprocess negative cognitions. The essence of EMDR lies in avoiding unnecessary re-traumatization, setting it apart from traditional talk therapy.
In our practice, we are dedicated to breaking down barriers to mental health services. Therefore, our practice is exclusively conducted online through a HIPAA-secure video platform. This online option fosters a robust therapeutic relationship where we actively collaborate on both your short-term and long-term goals during each session. While online therapy may initially seem daunting, I encourage you to give it a try—you might be surprised by how efficient and powerful it can truly be.
More Info About My Practice
My focus is on comprehending the root issues that contribute to stressful situations and maladaptive behaviors. By engaging in active listening, demonstrating empathy, and maintaining a non-judgmental stance, my goal is to collaboratively foster trust within our therapeutic relationship. Drawing from my experiences volunteering on the Suicide Prevention Hotline, working in diverse shelters in Los Angeles (including the Downtown Women's Shelter), and my involvement in community mental health, I bring a range of perspectives to enhance our exploration of your personal experience.
My Therapy Focus
You may have already noticed that EMDR therapy takes center stage in our approach. Whether you're familiar with it or it's a new concept for you (which is great!), let me clarify: EMDR is not hypnotherapy. Throughout the entire process, you remain awake, fully aware, and cognizant of what's happening.
For those unfamiliar with EMDR therapy, I encourage you to check out a video on YouTube by searching "what is EMDR therapy" or visit my Instagram @alvaradotherapy. I have a video pinned to my profile where I discuss its essence.
EMDR serves as an invaluable tool to challenge negative beliefs you may be grappling with. I introduced EMDR into my practice because I found it disheartening to conclude sessions with clients feeling hopeless, especially when addressing trauma. The discovery of EMDR therapy brought a transformative element to my approach.
Incorporating eye movement (yes, your eyes moving back and forth), we aim to help you acknowledge and explore your challenges while identifying adaptive or positive beliefs. Specific coping skills complement EMDR therapy, offering valuable support during sessions and encouraging continued use between sessions.
While EMDR is not an easy therapy, it effectively contains intense emotions, enabling you to carry on with your day despite the therapeutic work. If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to reach out ? it's my absolute favorite topic!
Had a Negative Therapy Experience?
I've encountered this sentiment before, and it's genuinely disheartening to hear! In therapy, the key takeaway is that this journey is entirely yours. While certain moments may feel uncomfortable as we navigate through various issues together, my sincere hope is that you feel at ease enough to express when something doesn't feel right. At the conclusion of each session, I make it a point to inquire about what you've gained, serving as an ongoing check-in. Given the substantial processing that occurs during our time together, it's crucial to me that you feel comfortable as we approach our next scheduled appointment.
If you've had a negative therapy experience, let's discuss it openly and process it together. I've had my share of such experiences too, so I completely understand the importance of the therapeutic relationship.
Clinicians who offer sliding scale payment structures may offer lower or reduced fees based on an individual's ability to pay. Please contact this clinician for more details regarding their fees or sliding scale policy.
