I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with experience supporting children, adolescents, young adults, and families. Over the past five years, I have worked with individuals navigating crises, life transitions, and personal growth journeys. My passion lies in the transformative work I do with children and youth, as I believe meaningful change in one life can positively ripple through an entire family system.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In our first session, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where I take the time to know you. We'll start by exploring what brings you to therapy and begin to understand your unique experiences, challenges, and goals. My priority is to create a space where you feel comfortable, supported, and heard.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
One of my strengths as a provider is my deep commitment to giving my all during each session. I believe that to truly make a positive impact, it’s essential to be fully present and engaged with my clients. I approach each situation with empathy, taking the time to truly understand the unique circumstances and goals of each individual. This helps me tailor my approach to meet their specific needs, creating a supportive and personalized experience. Additionally, I believe that one of my biggest strengths is being authentic and playful, particularly when working with youth and children.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am best positioned to work with clients who are willing to put in the effort to improve their situation and are looking for a trustworthy and supportive guide on their journey. I am here to support you, nurture your growth, and honor the individuality that may have been affected by life's challenges.
About Julie Alvarado
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
In my practice, I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a core treatment method due to its structured, hands-on approach to addressing unhelpful thought patterns. I find that this method offers tangible, measurable progress as clients are able to develop practical tools to manage their emotions and reactions. One of the aspects I particularly appreciate about CBT is its focus on addressing patterns of thinking that no longer serve the individual’s well-being. By working collaboratively, we identify those cognitive distortions and work towards reframing them in a way that is more aligned with the client’s goals and values. CBT also offers a variety of techniques that clients can practice outside of sessions, reinforcing the skills learned. These exercises help make the changes feel more attainable, and clients often notice a significant reduction in stress and anxiety when faced with challenging life situations.
Trauma-Focused CBT
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is effective in helping children, adolescents, and families work through trauma. I value the structure it provides, especially in creating a safe space for clients to process difficult experiences. A key benefit of TF-CBT is the way it combines psychoeducation, self-calming skills, and narration, making it easier for clients to express themselves and manage their emotions. TF-CBT focuses on rebuilding a sense of safety and control, which is often lost during traumatic events. The incorporation of calming techniques, such as deep breathing or grounding exercises, helps clients regulate their emotions before delving into the more challenging aspects of trauma processing. Psychoeducation is another essential element, helping clients and families understand the symptoms of trauma, the way it affects behavior, and why these reactions are normal in the context of trauma. In practice, I include components like trauma narration, where the client recounts their traumatic experience in a safe and structured way. This process can help children and adolescents reframe their thoughts about the trauma and begin to develop healthier coping strategies. Additionally, I incorporate elements of family therapy to ensure that caregivers are equipped to support their child’s recovery.
Faith based therapy
Faith-based therapy is a powerful method that integrates therapeutic techniques with spiritual and religious beliefs to foster healing, personal growth, and emotional well-being. By nurturing clients’ belief systems, I aim to help them connect with their faith, guiding them toward discovering how their spiritual beliefs can be a source of strength and insight in managing life's challenges. The client-centered approach is essential in this process, allowing me to meet the client where they are spiritually and emotionally. I adjust my discussions to their level of understanding and comfort with faith-based principles, creating a space where they feel heard and supported. This non-judgmental, empathetic approach helps foster trust, allowing clients to open up about their struggles and explore their spiritual beliefs. In my experience, faith-based counseling has been particularly effective for individuals seeking meaning, purpose, and healing through their faith. It has proven to be a helpful approach for those dealing with issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress management. Ultimately, faith-based therapy allows individuals to understand their suffering, set priorities in their lives, and appreciate the gift of life through the lens of their faith. By blending psychological approaches with spiritual guidance, clients can experience profound transformation that nurtures their mental, emotional, and spiritual health.