Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 5 ratings

Julie Alvarado

LMFT, 5 years of experience

Warm
Open-minded
Solution oriented

About me

I am a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to being fully present and engaged in each client’s journey. With experience supporting individuals, children, adolescents, and families, I value the diverse backgrounds and perspectives my clients bring. My approach is collaborative, empathetic, and tailored to your unique needs, combining evidence-based techniques with genuine connection. I believe in the resilience of people and feel honored to walk alongside you as you move toward healing, growth, and a more fulfilling life.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

In our first session, you can expect a warm and welcoming environment where I take the time to get to know you. We’ll begin by exploring what brings you to therapy and looking at your unique experiences, challenges, and goals. My priority is to create a space where you feel comfortable, supported, and truly heard. With curiosity and care, I’ll work to gain a clear understanding of your current situation so we can start shaping a path forward together.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

In our therapy sessions, I focus on understanding both the underlying causes of your struggles and the challenges you’re facing right now. My priority is to support the progress that matters most to you—not what I think you “should” do, but what you truly need and want for yourself. I use CBT along with other therapeutic approaches to help you move toward your goals, while also honoring the unique strengths and qualities that make you who you are.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I am best positioned to serve clients who are open to exploring different areas of their lives, motivated to grow, and seeking a supportive guide along the way. Whether you are working through life transitions, relationship challenges, trauma, or simply wanting to strengthen your coping skills, I enjoy partnering with clients who value collaboration and are ready to engage in the therapy process. Together, we will walk this journey, building on your strengths, nurturing your growth, and honoring the unique individuality that life’s challenges may have shaped.

Specialties

Top specialties

AnxietyDepression

Other specialties

ADHDAnger ManagementSelf Esteem

I identify as

Serves ages

Children (6 to 12)Teenagers (13 to 17)

My 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.

Location

Virtual

Licensed in

Accepts

Cash - $150 per sessionAetnaAetna - Allied BenefitsAetna - LuminareAetna - WebTPAAll SaversAnthemAvMedBlue CrossBlue Shield (MHSA) MagellanCarelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal)CignaEAP:CignaEAP:EvernorthEAP:UnitedHealthcare/OptumEvernorthGold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal)Golden RuleHarvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcareHealth Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-CalHumana - MedicareHumana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)L.A. Care CoveredL.A. Care Covered DirectL.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal)L.A. Care Medicare Plus (HMO D-SNP)L.A. Care PASC-SEIUOptumOptumHealth Complex Medical ConditionsOscarOxfordPartnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal)San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal)Scripps Health PlanSharp Health PlanSurest (formerly Bind)Tufts Health/CignaUnited Medical ResourcesUnitedHealthcare Life InsuranceUnitedHealthcare Shared ServicesUnitedHealthcare StudentResourcesUnitedHealthcare/Optum
Rated 5.0 stars out of 5, 5 ratings
This provider hasn’t received any written reviews yet. We started collecting written reviews January 1, 2025.