Patricia Alvarado, MA, LPCC, LMHC

Meet Patricia Alvarado

my mission

My mission is founded on the belief that everyone deserves to live the life they desire, a principle that should be a fundamental right, not just a dream.

Living a life we deserve means making choices that prioritize our happiness and health, putting ourselves first, and taking ownership of our time.

my vision

My vision is for mental health to be regarded with the same normalcy and importance as physical health.

I envision a world where seeking help is free of shame and guilt, and access to mental health services is recognized as a fundamental right, not a privilege. By consistently nurturing our well-being, we foster environments rich in mindfulness and insight, where empathy guides every interaction.

my Personal Story

Many of us within the mental health field become helpers and healers because of our own experience with trauma, and I am no different.

I grew up in an environment that often felt confusing. A space where I was reprimanded for not knowing what to do or how to do it. As a first generation Mexican American, I was often given responsibilities that were not mine in the first place and the universal rule was to never air out our business as this would bring even further consequences. I lived through many life transitions, constantly moving and wondering if we were going to make ends meet, a worry that a young child should never have. I lived through trauma, survived abuse, witnessed anger, was exposed to fear, experienced grief and adjusted to isolation.

This. was. normal. 

I truly believed that this is how everyone’s life experience was because this is all that I knew. The thing is, when you grow up in environments where generational trauma runs deep, you see these patterns and cycles of abuse in every space you find yourself in. I didn’t know that breaking cycles was a thing. I didn't know that my voice had meaning and value. This was life and I just accepted it. 

I. felt. small. 

I believe that many things saved my life in more ways than one and what I lean into the most is the power of education. Everything in my world felt chaotic except school. At school, things were always predictable and that felt safe. As I continued my education, I was able to take opportunities and grow from them. This challenged me because I realized that others had a very different upbringing than I did and I had to find ways to relearn new behaviors because my coping mechanisms were actually defense mechanisms to survive. 

Through my own personal therapy journey throughout the years, I’ve allowed helpers and healers to hear my story, validate my experiences, and help me create insight to continue healing parts of myself that often felt negated. Now, as a mother, I want to give my son the type of life that he is proud of. One where he looks back and can laugh or smile, one where his inner child is consistently valued and heard.

Reflecting on my experiences I can confidently say that this is why I do the work that I do, because in general, I just “get it.”

I know what it's like to live in chaos. I know what it’s like to feel dread and disappointment. I know what it’s like to live through trauma. My experiences help me look at things from a non-judgmental standpoint, remembering that at the end of the day, we are all just human and we all need someone. 

I share my experiences in the hope that you will see you are not alone in your journey.

I get it, I hear you, and I see you, always.

Professional Work

I’m the first in my family to do many things and when I thought about entrepreneurship, I felt nervous and scared but motivated to take control of my life, to live life on my own terms.

As the first entrepreneur in my family, I constantly look to my mentors for support. I am always asking questions, exploring different ideas, and finding ways to fuel my own creativity. This, along with continuing to do my personal healing through therapy, allows me to show up for my community in ways that excite me, in ways that I am proud of. 

I work with many different types of people from first generation Latinx people to creators, writers, artists, working professionals and really anyone that wants to dig deep. One of the things that I share with anyone interested in working with me is that we don’t do surface level here, we dig deep and we get uncomfortable. With that in mind, I have a particular interest in working with people who have experienced trauma, have been doing the work but need something different. My approach is heavily based on the idea that we have the answers within us, we just have to find the ways to get there. 

So the question is, what is my WHY?

My answer is, because after much uncertainty and turmoil in my life, I am finally leaning into choice and recognizing my own power. I am on a mission to instill that same message with those that I interact with, to show them that they have much more control than what they think.

They. have. choice.

Professional Bio

Patricia Alvarado is a first-generation Spanish-speaking Latina and mental health expert specializing in trauma and trauma healing, specifically focusing on how trauma impacts various aspects of our lives. She creates and leads culturally relevant mental wellness programs tailored for companies aiming to enhance the well-being of their diverse workforce.

Patricia is passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health and empowering professionals to live fulfilling and deserving lives. Her vision is to make mental health a fundamental part of life for every working professional, offering unique resources that promote healthier and more productive living.

Based in Los Angeles, Patricia is a Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, Speaker, Author, Professor, and the Founder of Alvarado Therapy, a group therapy practice.

Education

  • University of California, Santa Barbara – BA in Sociology, BA in Women’s Studies

  • Loyola Marymount University – MA in Counseling

Certifications

  • EMDR Certified Therapist 

  • EMDRIA Approved Consultant 

  • MBSR Mindfulness Program - Certified

  • Triple P Level 5 Pathways Parenting Program - Certified 

  • Triple P Standard Level 4 Parenting Program, certified

  • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT) - Certified

  • Incredible Years (IY) Parenting Program - Certified 

  • Managing and Adapting Practices (MAP) - Certified 

  • Seeking Safety - Certified

  • Grief Educator - Certified 

  • Problem Solving Treatment (PST) for Depression

  • Brief Response to Crisis (BRC/CORS) Crisis Intervention Training 

  • Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)

  • Professional Assault Crisis Training (Pro-ACT) 

  • Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMH)

Licensures

  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC#3333 - California

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC#007932 - New York 

get in touch

get in touch

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