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Headshot of Alessandra Snavely, LMFT

Alessandra Snavely

Therapist
10 years of experience
  • Virtual & in-person
  • Anxiety, Depression, Relationship issues, Trauma, PTSD
  • Individual therapy

Great to meet you!

You may be used to being the person others rely on, the one who keeps things moving, notices what everyone needs, and pushes through even when you’re feeling anxious, exhausted, or unsure of yourself. Asking for help or making room for your own needs may not come as naturally.

I work with teens and adults who are dealing with trauma, anxiety, self-doubt, and the pressure of holding everything together. My style is warm, collaborative, and flexible. I’ll take the time to understand what you’ve been carrying, and I welcome honest feedback about what is and isn’t helping.

I primarily use EMDR to help you work through experiences from the past that still affect how you feel about yourself, relate to others, or respond to situations today. EMDR can involve focusing on memories and emotions while using guided eye movements, alternating sounds, or tapping. I also draw from CBT, mindfulness, and parts work, depending on what feels most useful to you.

Therapy with me can include deeper work as well as space to talk about what has been difficult lately. We’ll move at a pace that feels manageable and work toward helping you feel less overwhelmed, trust yourself more, and make room for your own needs.

My approach to therapy

I believe therapy works best when you feel understood, involved, and able to be honest about what is and isn’t helping. My approach is warm, collaborative, and flexible. I won’t expect you to arrive with everything figured out, and I don’t believe there is one approach that works for everyone.

We may spend time understanding patterns, relationships, and experiences that continue to affect you, while also developing practical ways to manage what is happening in your life now. I primarily use EMDR for deeper work with trauma and painful experiences, and I also draw from CBT, mindfulness, parts work, and person-centered therapy based on your needs and goals.

Some sessions may focus on processing experiences from the past, while others may focus on a current stressor or something that has been especially difficult that week. We’ll move at a pace that feels manageable, check in about how therapy is going, and adjust our work together when needed.

What you can expect from me

Our first session is a chance to begin getting to know each other and understand what has been feeling difficult. We’ll 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 won’t be expected to share everything at once or go into painful details before you feel ready. We can begin with what has been hardest lately and move at a pace that feels manageable. I’ll also explain how I work, answer your questions, and talk with you about what our next steps might look like.

By the end of the session, my hope is that you feel heard, have a clearer sense of how therapy may support you, and begin to feel that you don’t have to carry everything alone.

About me

  • I identify as
    Caucasian, Cisgender Woman
  • My style is
    Empowering, Warm, Affirming

Qualification and insurance

  • Years of experience
    10 years of experience
  • Training
    Masters in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University Santa Barbara, BA (Bachelor of Arts) at University of California at Santa Barbara
  • License type
    LMFT (Licensed Marriage/Family Therapist) (California)
  • Licensed in
  • Insurance accepted
    Aetna, Providence Health Plan

Cost

Care details

  • Top specialties
    Anxiety, Depression, Relationship issues, Trauma, PTSD
  • More specialties
    Stress management, Physical health issues, Chronic conditions
  • Therapy methods
    Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
  • Care types
    Individual therapy
  • Ages served
    Seniors, Adults, Adolescents
  • Languages
    English
  • Location
    26 West Mission Street Suite 4
    Santa Barbara, CA 93101