I was born and raised in the greater Fresno and attended CSU-Fresno for my undergraduate work in Criminology and my Master’s in Counseling-Marriage and Family Therapy. 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 “why?”, and bodies reflect the joy or sorrow of their memories.

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

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

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest 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 down the path to becoming 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 Focus Therapy Program that helps clients with eight sessions or less. This also included seeing couples/marriages to help them in their needs. I have an ability to adapt to whatever form of therapy is required to assist the client/clients according to their needs.

Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.

I thoroughly enjoy assisting couples/marriages to find the love that brought them together and rediscovering their unconditional love for each other. I also enjoy working with first responders and individuals who have suffered traumatic events in their lives. I also help grieving clients who have lost loved ones and are struggling to overcome the pain of losing someone they love.

About David Alanis