Back to therapists

Dr. Paula Alvarez

CA LCSW 19790, IL LCSW 149.023704

Credentials

CA LCSW 19790, IL LCSW 149.023704

NPI Number

1710020227

Location

Missouri

Languages

English

Accepting new clients

35 years experience | Intl Clients Welcome

Work with me

About Dr. Paula Alvarez

Greetings! I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the states of California, Illinois, and Missouri, and I have a doctorate in Organizational Psychology. I have worked in locked and outpatient mental health facilities for the last 30 years. I facilitated group treatment of domestic violence perpetrators in Spanish and English for eight years. I specialize in treating trauma-related symptoms, anxiety and depression, anger management, geriatric well-being, mental health recovery, cultural diversity issues, and self-esteem issues. My doctorate degree (EdD) In Leadership and Learning with a specialization in Organizational Psychology was conferred on May 27, 2021.

I use a client-centered approach (Carl Rogers), and I know that the client is the expert. I tailor my therapy sessions to what the client wants. I used cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with those who like CBT interventions. I offer homework assignments and bibliotherapy for those clients who want those interventions. I also use Brief-Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing techniques.

I invite you to contact me to see if I am a good fit to help and empower you on your journey to better living.

Licenses

LCSW

19790

LCSW

2016036974

LCSW

149.023704

Professional experience

Addictions
ADHD
Anger management
Bipolar disorder
Career difficulties
Coaching
Coping with life changes
Depression
Family conflicts
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
LGBT
Parenting issues
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Stress, Anxiety
Trauma and abuse

Additional Focus Areas

Abandonment
Aging and geriatric issues
Caregiver issues and stress
Codependency
Communication problems
Control issues
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Eating and food-related issues
Family of origin issues
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Immigration issues
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Mood disorders
Multicultural concerns
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Postpartum depression
Prejudice and discrimination
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-love
Sexual assault and abuse
Smoking / vaping cessation
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Workplace issues
Young adult issues

Clinical Approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Client-Centered Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Gottman Method
Hypnotherapy
Internal Family Systems
Mindfulness Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Solution-Focused Therapy
Trauma-Focused Therapy

Languages

English

15 Reviews

“I’ve found her very helpful. She’s a terrific listener.”

“Great”

“Dr. Alvarez is extremely compassionate and competent! She has been essential in my mental health journey.”

“Dr. Alvarez was hugely helpful to me and I looked forward to our sessions every time!”

“Dr Alvarez is kind, listens and us so easy to talk to. She is very supportive and caring”

“Dr. Alvarez has been instrumental in understanding and positively dealing with the many issues that were and are still present in my life. I look forward to our time together and the better understanding of myself I achieve with her welcomed assistance. I’ve had therapists in my past and all my interactions have been positive and good but she is great and I hope you find a therapist like her.”

“I feel, seen, heard and for the first time I'm comfortable I'm opening up. She helps me to refocus. I know i have more to do but have come along way thanks to her.”

“Dr Alvarez is great listener with years of experience. Friendly patient and poignant.”

“She is great!!!!!”

“Dr. Alvarez is incredibly knowledgeable, intuitive and helpful. Our relationship has evolved in ways I couldn’t imagine. So grateful to have found her.”

“Dr. Alvarez is an outstanding therapist. She is knowledgeable, empathic, and non-judgmental. I admire her empathy, and I am honored to have her as a resource and support.”

“Working with Dr. Alvarez has been a life changing experience for me. She is thoughtful, supportive and compassionate. I love that she gives me "tools" to help navigate through the process. I highly recommend her!”

“Paula is attentive, compassionate, curious, and non-judgmental! I highly recommend her.”

“It is so so hard to find a good therapist that you trust and that “clicks” with you but Paula Alvarez is the one for me!”

“I have loved working with Dr. Alvarez. She has helped me think through and understand myself and situations better. She has given me a great experience with therapy. She listens, encourages, corrects, and validates very well. And I appreciate her a lot. Thank you Dr. Alvarez and I look forward to keep meeting with you.”

These reviews represent a few of the most recent positive reviews from the therapist's clients on BetterHelp. Some people's experience may be different.