David Alanis
I was born and raised in the greater Fresno and attended CSU-Fresno for my undergraduate work in Criminology and my Masterâs in Counseling-Marriage and Family Therapy.
My unique background as a first-generation Mexican American and my full bilingualism in Spanish allow me to utilize my skills and techniques in two languages when needed.
My clinical orientation is a mix of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), client-centered therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and solution-focused therapeutic Modalities. I have extensive training and experience in working with people struggling with the criminal justice system (in and out of the legal system), post-traumatic stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety and Depression disorders, as well as with people seeking relief from addictive behaviors. I have worked for over 24 years in public service/various community mental health delivery systems. I thoroughly value meeting and forming therapeutic relationships with new patients and assisting the patient in discovering their ability to lead a life they want to live. I honor the time spent in session, as it is a time where hearts bare the pain, minds seek the âwhy?â, and bodies reflect the joy or sorrow of their memories.
First session
Clients can expect me to treat them respectfully and utilize the Golden Rule of "do unto others as you want done to you." Mt 7:12
Strengths
My unique background as a first-generation Mexican American and my full bilingualism in Spanish allow me to utilize my skills and techniques in two languages when needed. My background as an officer for 15 years until I was medically retired led me to become an LMFT. I have worked as a LMFT with school districts providing MH care for 5 years and than 2 years working at the Frsno County Jail as their Mental Health Director sending my staff out to a population of inmates male and female that at anygiven time could be 3000 inmates that many whom asked for MH sessions to find a balance in life and do the work in the jail setting so they can be released and can cope with life in general. Then, I worked with adults for 5 years at Kaiser Permanente in a pilot program called the Focus Therapy Program that helps clients with eight sessions or fewer. This also included seeing couples/marriages to help them with their needs. I can adapt to whatever form of therapy is required to assist the client/clients according to their needs. I also utilize my Christian Faith when a client seeks a Christian Therapist, as I am trained as a Spiritual Director and practice my faith by serving my faith community weekly.
Treatment methods
EMDR
EMDR has transformed many lives by removing the trauma that has been repressed.
Christian Counseling
Utilizing the teachings of Jesus Christ to understand through faith how to proceed in healing the struggles of mental health etc.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is utilized to bring understanding of why our thoughts at times deceive us and how we can use our mind to bring understanding of how to think more positive and release the negative.
Culturally Sensitive Therapy
Understanding the client's culture brings forward therapeutic modalities that can be used to assist in the process of mental health and bring healing and understanding.
Couples Counseling
The challenges of couples committing their lives together at times require them to understand how to treat each other with respect, trust, love, and forgiveness. Couples Counseling helps them unite together to work on their issues at hand.
Location
Virtual sessions