Hello! My name is Marisela Romero Alvarez. Are you struggling to focus, feeling overwhelmed, worry, or feel stuck? Do you want to make changes and find it uncomfortable or even scary? Maybe you feel unmotivated, unsure, or find it hard to communicate your needs or boundaries. Do you often feel frustrated or disconnected in your relationships? Navigating these challenges alone can be be tough. I'm here to help. Regardless of where you are in your journey, my aim is to create a safe and warm environment and become your ally to help us understand the functions of your body and mind and identify what matters most to you. This will help pave the way to guide you to discover and harness your power of choosing the frame of mind and actions that align to what matters most to you.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session, we take the time to introduce ourselves and review informed consent to ensure that you fully understand the treatment process. I will ask you questions to get a better understanding of what you are looking for from therapy and to know who you are as a person. This also serves as an opportunity for us to get a feel of the initial stages and development of our therapeutic relationship, and begin collaborating to identifying your goals that will inform and guide our work together.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I bring a compassionate, energetic, and curious approach to therapy. I believe in creating a supportive, non judgmental environment where you feel truly heard and understood. My enthusiasm for helping you means we will stay focused and energized in our work together, and my curiosity ensures that we explore your unique experiences in depth, helping you discover new insights, solutions and the path to move forward. I’m excited to partner with you on your path to growth and healing. Message me to schedule an initial appointment to see how we can work together to create the change you're looking for.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I enjoy helping adult clients who struggle with self esteem, self doubt, avoidance, isolation, worrying, stress, and feeling stuck. I connect well with students, parents, and professionals who benefit from new insights and information to inform how to find solutions to current problems and coping skills to manage life's challenges.
About Marisela Romero Alvarez
Marisela Romero Alvarez offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is the main treatment method I have been using to help clients discover and wield their power of insight and choice to identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, and manage anxiety and depression. We will use CBT to help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. This insight will facilitate identifying automatic negative thoughts patterns, challenge and replace them with more balanced and helpful ones. We will also focus on identifying and changing certain behaviors that might be keeping you stuck or unmotivated.
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I also value and frequently incorporate ACT to help clients move towards a life of meaning and fulfillment, guided by what is most important for them. The use of ACT is to help you learn to accept difficult thoughts and feelings, rather than fighting or avoiding them so they don't control your life. We will work on learning skills to step back from unhelpful thoughts and be more present in the moment. Our work will also be guided by your core values about what matters most to you to get you to take meaningful actions, even when things get tough.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I have enjoyed using EFT as a treatment model to help clients cultivate secure and healthy attachments in relationships. Often when we feel distant or hurt in a relationship it’s because our deeper needs for love, comfort, or security are not being met. In EFT we work together to uncover those emotions and break negative patterns that cause conflict or disconnection, with the aim at helping you feel safer and more supported in your relationship, by communicating your feelings and needs in a way that brings you closer to your loved ones.
Mind-body approach
I frequently reference and incorporate Mind-Body approaches to build insight about the body and mind connection, with the aim to learn to manage stress and anxiety that shows up in our body as tension or discomfort. We will use this therapy to learn mindfulness and relaxation skills to help you calm your mind and body, to help you become more aware of how your body reacts to stress and emotions, and teach you ways to release tension and feel more balanced.
Psychodynamic
I also use psychodynamic therapy to help clients gain insight into recurring patterns of behaviors and unresolved relationship conflicts. This therapy will inform our work together to explore how your past experiences, especially early relationships, might be influencing the way you feel and act today. Our aim is to help you connect the dots between your past and present, so you can better understand yourself, recognize patterns that may be holding you back, and make positive changes in your life.