My name is Palei and I’m a licensed marriage family therapist in the state of California. I’ve been practicing for the past 10 years and I utilize cognitive behavior therapy as my main modality. I have a passion for helping others and providing a safe space for people to process and understand the complexity that is themselves. I consider myself more of an unorthodox therapist, as I will self disclose when necessary and appropriate because I want my clients to know that I’m a real person and not a pretentious clinician who doesn’t understand where they’re coming from, as I have many life experiences from my own childhood to even now that have impacted my sense of empathy and understanding to a point where I have many lived experiences that make me very authentic and genuine when working with clients. I have a level of understanding that I think is much deeper than most and I believe what sets me apart is my positive attitude that has been heavily influenced by the utilization of the very skills I teach my clients that I’ve learned in my own personal journey with therapy. I “practice what I preach”, so I never ask of my client things that I wouldn’t ask of myself, and I absolutely utilize these skills on a daily basis to achieve the life worth living.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

My main goal is always provide a safe space for my client so that they feel like they can be vulnerable and open to ideas and suggestions by the trust that I aim to build. They can expect for me to do a thorough bio psychosocial assessment together, background information and help me better get to know them. We will discuss their chief complaint and what brings them to Therapy today. I will explain who I am and what I’m about. The first session is always me doing a lot more of the talking so therefore, my person can feel comfortable, knowing that they only have to answer questions and don’t have to dive into anything too deep during that first session. Again, I aim to create a very safe space for immediately I am trying to build that connection and trust with you.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I think what makes me unique is my level of compassion and kindness towards my clients, and that I am a fierce advocate and cheerleader for them. I thoroughly love what I do and it shows in my work. I am aware that I have an innate ability to connect with people that have a hard time connecting with their providers. I have clients to tell me that they’ve had terrible experiences in the past with therapist, and that I have changed that perspective for them. Even when I’ve tried to refer them out for different treatments, I have had clients refuse referrals out because they only want to work with me.

About Palei Alfaro