Alessandra Snavely
You may be used to being the person others rely on, the one who keeps things moving and pushes through even when you feel anxious, exhausted, or unsure of yourself. Perhaps your mind rarely slows down, you are hard on yourself when something goes wrong, or experiences from the past continue to affect your relationships and how you feel about yourself. You may know that something needs to change but feel unsure where to begin. I’m Alessandra, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and EMDRIA Certified Therapist™. I work with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, trauma, self-doubt, relationship difficulties, and the pressure of holding everything together. My approach is warm, collaborative, and flexible. Together, we can slow things down, understand the patterns that are keeping you stuck, and work toward helping you feel more grounded, trust yourself, and make room for your own needs.
First session
Your first session is a chance for us to begin getting to know each other and understand what has been feeling difficult. We will talk about what brought you to therapy, what you would like to feel different, and any experiences or patterns that may be important to your care. You will not be expected to share everything at once or discuss painful details before you feel ready. I will also explain how I work, answer your questions, and invite you to share what helps you feel comfortable in therapy. By the end of the session, we will begin identifying what you would like to work toward and discuss what our next steps might look like. Most importantly, you will have space to be heard without needing to have everything figured out.
Strengths
I bring warmth, curiosity, flexibility, and a genuine interest in understanding each client as a whole person. I listen closely for the patterns beneath what is happening now, while also paying attention to your strengths, relationships, and the experiences that have shaped how you learned to cope. I can help you begin wherever you are, even if you are still trying to understand what feels wrong or what you want to change. My approach is collaborative rather than one-size-fits-all. I can help you explore experiences in greater depth while also offering practical tools for what is happening in your life today. I welcome honest feedback, adjust the pace when needed, and make room for humor and human connection. My training in EMDR also allows me to help clients work through experiences that may not have shifted through insight or talking alone.
Ideal clients
You may understand why certain patterns developed but find that insight alone has not helped you change them. Perhaps you are looking for more than a place to talk and want therapy to help you work through what continues to affect you, respond differently in everyday life, and feel more connected to yourself. You do not need to begin therapy knowing exactly what to say or having everything figured out. We can start with what has been feeling most difficult and explore it together at a pace that feels manageable. Therapy can help you trust yourself more, move through difficult emotions with greater confidence, develop healthier relationships, and make room for your own needs. If you are ready to understand what has been keeping you stuck and begin responding differently, I invite you to schedule a first session.
Origin story
I was drawn to becoming a therapist because I have always been curious about people and the experiences that shape who we become. I was fascinated by how the past can influence the way we see ourselves, connect with others, and respond to the world around us, as well as the possibility that these patterns can change. I originally imagined working primarily with children and helping them build healthier futures. As my career developed, I found myself increasingly drawn to working with teens and adults who were trying to understand experiences that had stayed with them, question roles they had learned to carry, and relate to themselves and others in new ways. One of the things I value most about being a therapist is having the opportunity to hear people’s stories and understand the experiences that have shaped them. What continues to inspire me is being part of the process as clients begin to feel less stuck, release some of what they have been carrying, and make changes that feel meaningful in their everyday lives.
Ongoing work together
Our ongoing work will be shaped by what you want to change and what feels most important in your life. Some sessions may focus on what has been difficult recently, while others may involve looking more deeply at patterns, relationships, or past experiences that continue to affect you. Depending on your needs, we may use EMDR, mindfulness, CBT, or practical strategies you can carry into your everyday life. Progress does not always happen in a straight line, and it can look different for each person. You may notice that anxiety feels less consuming, difficult emotions are easier to move through, or familiar situations no longer bring the same intensity. You may begin trusting your decisions, setting boundaries with less guilt, responding differently in relationships, or recovering more quickly when something is difficult. We will regularly check in about the changes you are noticing, what still feels difficult, and how we can adjust our work to better support your goals as needed.
Treatment methods
EMDR
I primarily use EMDR to help clients work through experiences from the past that continue to affect how they feel about themselves, relate to others, or respond to situations today. These may include clearly traumatic events, difficult relationships, painful childhood experiences, losses, or repeated experiences that contributed to anxiety, self-doubt, or feeling unsafe. During EMDR, you may focus on a memory, emotion, belief, or body sensation while using guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping. The memory is not erased, but the goal is for it to feel less emotionally charged and have less influence over your life today. You do not have to describe every detail of what happened for EMDR to be effective. We will take time to build trust, prepare for the work, and move at a pace that feels manageable. As an EMDRIA Certified Therapist™, I tailor the process to each client rather than expecting everyone to respond in the same way.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I use mindfulness to help clients notice what is happening in their thoughts, emotions, and bodies without immediately judging, avoiding, or becoming overwhelmed by the experience. This can be especially helpful when anxiety, overthinking, self-criticism, or automatic reactions make it difficult to feel present or choose how you want to respond. Mindfulness does not require clearing your mind or sitting in meditation for long periods of time. We may use brief grounding exercises, breathing practices, guided imagery, or simple ways of noticing sensations and emotions. Over time, these practices can help you recognize patterns earlier, feel more connected to yourself, and respond with greater intention and self-compassion.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I draw from CBT rather than following it as a strict or step-by-step program. Its principles can help us understand how thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical responses influence one another. When useful, we may explore patterns such as overthinking, self-criticism, expecting the worst, avoiding difficult situations, or putting other people’s needs ahead of your own. I may also incorporate CBT-based questions and practical skills to help you consider different perspectives, respond to situations in new ways, and practice strategies between sessions. The goal is not to label your thoughts as wrong or force yourself to “think positively,” but to become curious about whether familiar beliefs and responses are still helping you.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 123001