I’m a Latino therapist who specializes in working with trauma, identity, and the emotional weight that comes from growing up in high-stress environments. I help people make sense of patterns rooted in past experiences — whether that’s family dysfunction, grief, street violence, or cultural pressure — so they can move through life with more clarity and less emotional reactivity. My style is honest, direct, and grounded. I’m not the kind of therapist who just nods and listens — I’ll challenge you when needed and help you get to the core of what’s keeping you stuck. I work especially well with first-generation men, individuals processing childhood or gang-related trauma, and those navigating the tension between cultural loyalty and personal growth. I’ve spent the last five years working across community mental health, jail reentry, and school-based settings — including the LA County Department of Mental Health, homeless outreach in South Central, and now as a therapist in a middle school. My approach is shaped by both clinical training and real-life experience supporting clients in some of the most challenging situations.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
The first session is all about getting to know where you're coming from — not just the problems that brought you to therapy, but the bigger picture of who you are. I’ll ask about your history, your current stressors, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. It’s a conversation, not an interrogation — and there’s no pressure to share everything right away. I also take time to explain how I work and answer any questions you might have about the process. If it feels like a good fit, we’ll start mapping out a plan for the work ahead — whether that’s processing trauma, exploring old patterns, or just finally putting words to things you haven’t been able to talk about before.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I’m not afraid to go deep or sit with the uncomfortable stuff. Clients often tell me they feel like they can finally say things they’ve never said out loud — not because I push them, but because I create a space where they don’t have to hold back. I’m direct, but not harsh. Honest, but still human. I think one of my biggest strengths is helping people make sense of patterns they didn’t realize they were stuck in — especially when those patterns are tied to family dynamics, trauma, or cultural pressure. I also know how to meet clients where they’re at, whether they need structure, space, or someone who can just keep it real.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
The clients I work best with are the ones who feel like they’ve had to hold everything together for too long — the ones who didn’t have the space to fall apart or ask for help growing up. A lot of them come in feeling angry, disconnected, or like they’re just going through the motions. Some have been through heavy trauma, others are just tired of repeating the same patterns in their relationships or in their head. I tend to connect well with first-gen adults, men who were taught to stay quiet about their emotions, and folks who grew up in environments where survival came first. Therapy with me isn’t about surface-level fixes — it’s about figuring out what’s really underneath it all and finally working through it.
About Zachary Alvarado
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I use psychodynamic therapy to help clients explore the unconscious beliefs and emotional experiences that shape how they see themselves, others, and the world. In my work with trauma, PTSD, and complex family dynamics, I often find that the roots of present-day distress lie in earlier relational wounds or patterns that formed in response to adversity. Through a collaborative and insight-oriented process, I help clients identify internal conflicts, unmet needs, and protective strategies that may have once served a purpose but now cause pain or keep them stuck. Psychodynamic therapy in my practice isn’t about staying in the past for the sake of it — it’s about understanding how the past shows up in the present, so we can work through it with more awareness and choice. My approach is direct, grounded, and emotionally attuned. I aim to create a space where clients feel safe enough to be honest — even when the work gets uncomfortable — because that’s often where the real shifts happen.
EMDR
I’ve been trained in EMDR through the Center of Excellence and am currently completing my certification. I use EMDR to help clients process traumatic memories and stuck emotional responses that traditional talk therapy alone may not fully resolve. It’s particularly effective for PTSD, childhood trauma, and any experience that continues to live in the nervous system — even when someone logically knows they’ve “moved on.” In practice, I often integrate EMDR with a psychodynamic approach. We spend time identifying the deeper themes, beliefs, and emotional patterns tied to a memory before reprocessing it. This allows for a more grounded and comprehensive experience — not just symptom relief, but real shifts in how someone sees themselves and the world. I use EMDR with clients who are ready to go beyond insight and want to feel different, not just think differently. The process is structured, but flexible — and I make sure clients feel safe, prepared, and in control the entire way through.