Alev Ates-Barlas

Many of the people I work with have spent years carrying the effects of difficult experiences while trying to keep up with the demands of everyday life. You may feel overwhelmed, disconnected from yourself or others, stuck in painful relationship patterns, or exhausted from constantly managing anxiety, stress, or emotional triggers. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Trauma Specialist, and EMDRIA-approved EMDR practitioner and consultant, I specialize in helping individuals, couples, and families navigate complex trauma (C-PTSD), anxiety, depression, postpartum challenges, relationship difficulties, family stress, and major life transitions. I believe healing begins when you feel truly seen, understood, and supported—not judged or treated as a problem to be fixed.

My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and grounded in the understanding that our experiences affect both the mind and body. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, I work to understand the larger story—your relationships, environment, life experiences, and the patterns that have shaped the way you move through the world. Using trauma-informed approaches including EMDR, attachment-focused therapy, somatic practices, Neurofeedback, and other evidence-based modalities, I help clients process difficult experiences, strengthen emotional resilience, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. I also believe healing does not happen in isolation, which is why I take a holistic perspective that honors the many factors contributing to your well-being.

I strive to create a space where you can show up authentically, without pressure to have the right words or everything figured out. Whether you are working through trauma, navigating changes in relationships or family life, adjusting to parenthood, or simply trying to understand yourself more deeply, therapy can be a place to reconnect with your strengths and move toward lasting change. As a bilingual therapist fluent in English and Turkish, I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds and am committed to providing care that feels culturally responsive, supportive, and deeply human. Together, we can create a path forward that feels grounded, meaningful, and aligned with the life you want to build.