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- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- EMDR and mindfulness
About Desiree
Desiree Alvarado, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), holds licenses in California and Texas and has four years of post-licensure clinical practice. She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and intimacy-related concerns, grief, parenting challenges, anger, career stress, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue. Her stated approach is client-centered care with frequent use of cognitive behavioral methods and other trauma-focused techniques.
Alvarado describes her role as helping people untangle thoughts and behaviors that lead to negative reactions. She guides clients to develop realistic tools and coping strategies aimed at practical change. She uses client-centered therapy to build rapport and trust, and she often uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns.
Her background includes work in child welfare, domestic violence response, mental health court programs, substance use services, and support for law enforcement and first responders. That experience informs how she approaches trauma, addiction, and complex cases.
She also lists additional focus areas such as attachment issues, codependency, communication and control problems, domestic violence, drug and alcohol addiction, first responder issues, and impulsivity. Treatment can address mood disorders, panic attacks, paranoia, personality concerns, and isolation or loneliness.
Alvarado notes training in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and certifications related to domestic violence peer counseling and child forensic interviewing. She is working toward a Drug and Alcohol Counselor certification. Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients.
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Therapeutic approaches used in online sessions
The therapist often uses Client-Centered Therapy, which focuses on listening and building rapport so a person can talk through what matters most to them. This approach helps when people need support naming feelings and deciding on next steps.She also commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a practical method that looks at how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors connect. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, panic, and for changing patterns that contribute to stress. Dialectical Behavior Therapy techniques are sometimes used to teach emotion regulation and interpersonal skills for strong emotional reactions.
Deciding which method to use is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with the client to choose approaches that match their needs, goals, and preferences and will adjust methods as progress is made.
Session formats were not specified in the biography. Confirm current session options before booking to know which formats are offered. Online sessions can make regular check-ins easier to fit into daily life, allow shorter follow-ups when needed, and reduce travel time so therapy can be scheduled around work or family commitments.
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Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
California, Texas
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, parenting concerns, anger, career stress, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue.
What is her therapeutic style?
She uses a client-centered approach and frequently applies cognitive behavioral techniques. She focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that cause negative reactions and building practical tools.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has four years of post-licensure clinical practice and earlier work experience in child welfare, domestic violence response, mental health court, and substance use settings.
Where is she licensed and based?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with licenses in California and Texas and is listed as practicing in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.