Gaudi Alvarado

I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT # 163186) with clinical experience in both Costa Rica and the United States. I work with adults and couples navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, burnout, life transitions, military-related stress, and cultural or identity-related concerns.

My work is grounded in trauma-informed care and informed by attachment theory, neuroscience, and the understanding that our experiences shape the ways we relate to ourselves and others. I believe every person has an innate capacity to heal, and I consider it a privilege to walk alongside my clients as they reconnect with their strengths, resilience, and sense of self.

I believe therapy begins with understanding. Rather than asking, "What's wrong with you?" I approach each person's story with curiosity, compassion, and respect. I believe our experiences matter, and so do the ways we've learned to adapt.

I believe you are the expert on your own life. My role is not to define your experiences or tell you who you are, but to create a collaborative relationship where you feel emotionally safe enough to explore your story and make sense of your experiences. Together, we'll better understand the patterns that have shaped your relationships, emotions, and ways of coping so that you can move forward with greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and confidence.

I integrate evidence-based approaches—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), mindfulness, somatic and nervous-system-informed interventions, and attachment-based principles—while tailoring therapy to your goals, your readiness, and your individual needs rather than fitting you into a fixed approach. I believe lasting growth happens when therapy feels both supportive and empowering, never rushed.

Beginning therapy can feel vulnerable, especially if you've been carrying a lot on your own. Our first session is simply a place to land—a warm, supportive space where we begin getting to know one another at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

There's no pressure to share more than you're ready to. We'll talk about what brought you to therapy, what feels most important to you, and what you hope to gain from our work together. You'll also have the opportunity to get a sense of how I work and whether it feels like the right fit.

My hope is that you leave your first session feeling heard, understood, and with a growing sense that healing is possible. Together, we'll begin identifying a meaningful first step forward—one that honors your goals, your readiness, and your unique journey.