Katherine Alvarez

Hi! My name is Dr. Katherine Alvarez and I'm a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in helping individuals navigate challenges related to anxiety, relationship stress, social difficulties, OCD, life transitions, graduate student stress, self-esteem, cultural and racial identity. I also offer support for parents seeking guidance on how to best support their children with learning disorders, ADHD, anxiety, and behavioral difficulties.

I received my Master’s in Education and my Doctorate in combined School-Clinical Psychology from Pace University. My training spans a variety of public and private institutions across New York and California, including therapeutic day school programs, community mental health clinics, and foster care agencies. This diverse background has deeply shaped my clinical perspective and inspired my special interest in exploring intergenerational trauma and how it impacts the way we experience the world. I am passionate about creating a warm, non-judgmental space where you can feel safe to explore your identity and its influence on your journey of self-understanding. Additionally, I have completed specialized training in ERP for treating OCD and anxiety disorders, and I am deeply committed to providing education on and de-stigmatizing OCD.

In my practice, I strive to create an open, collaborative, and non-judgmental therapy space, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion so that clients can feel like they can show up as their most authentic selves. I approach treatment through a client-centered, and relational lens, meaning that I believe the therapeutic relationship is a vital piece of therapeutic comfort and growth. From there, I utilize various therapeutic approaches, such as: ERP, CBT, executive functioning coaching, and psychodynamic therapy to support skill-building and insight.

Life has its natural ebbs and flows, and my goal is to provide a steady, grounding source of support as you navigate them. Because every person is unique, I do not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. In our first session, we will talk about what brings you to therapy and explore the kind of support and approach that feels most helpful and resonant for you.

It is completely natural to feel a bit overwhelmed before your first session, or to feel pressure to have everything perfectly organized and explained right away. Please know that you do not have to have it all figured out. We will have plenty of time to get to know one another, and our first meeting is simply the first step in that collaborative journey.

I look forward to meeting you and working together!