Lacey Alvarez

Maybe something happened that you've never fully put into words. Maybe your moods, your anger, or your sense of who you are have started to feel unfamiliar. Therapy can be a steady place to work through it. I work with adults, teens, and families on trauma and PTSD, depression and mood disorders, eating disorders, psychosis, anger, and identity. I especially enjoy working with adolescents and young adults figuring out who they are, including LGBTQ+ youth who want a therapist who affirms them without hesitation. Sessions are virtual, individual or with family. Race, culture, ability, and the rest of what shapes your life are welcome in our work.

Compassion comes first. Trauma-informed, in practice, means I won't ask you to retell painful things before you're ready, and we'll pay attention to how your body is responding, not just your thoughts. I draw on CBT for the thought patterns that keep you stuck, ACT for making room for hard feelings while still moving toward what matters to you, and mindfulness practices for grounding. My trauma work is informed by the ARC and Sanctuary models. I also look at the bigger picture: family, community, school or work, and the systems around you that may be part of what you're carrying.

Our first session is mostly about getting to know each other. I'll explain how I work, answer your questions, and give you room to say what brought you here in your own words. I keep it a bit more structured so it feels less like walking into the unknown. We'll also talk about how you're doing right now, so I know how best to support you. After that, sessions follow your pace. I may suggest something small to try between sessions, and we'll check in on how it went, including if it didn't. Over time you can expect to see your patterns more clearly and leave with next steps that actually fit your life.