Therapist Dr. Paula Alvarez Photo

Dr. Paula Alvarez, LCSW

Stress, Anxiety Trauma, Abuse Anger management Bipolar disorder Depression
Video Phone Messaging

About me

Greetings! I am a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in the states of California, Illinois, and Missouri, and I have a doctorate in Organizational Psychology. I have worked in locked and outpatient mental health facilities for the last 30 years. I facilitated group treatment of domestic violence perpetrators in Spanish and English for eight years. I specialize in treating trauma-related symptoms, anxiety and depression, anger management, geriatric well-being, mental health recovery, cultural diversity issues, and self-esteem issues. My doctorate degree (EdD) In Leadership and Learning with a specialization in Organizational Psychology was conferred on May 27, 2021.

I use a client-centered approach (Carl Rogers), and I know that the client is the expert. I tailor my therapy sessions to what the client wants. I used cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with those who like CBT interventions. I offer homework assignments and bibliotherapy for those clients who want those interventions. I also use Brief-Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing techniques.

I invite you to contact me to see if I am a good fit to help and empower you on your journey to better living.

Professional experience

35 yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Trauma, Abuse Anger management Bipolar disorder Depression

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Coaching, ADHD, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Eating and food-related issues, Family of origin issues, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Immigration issues, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues

Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Gottman Method, Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems

Services offered

Video
Phone
Messaging

License information

CA LCSW 19790

IL LCSW 149.023704

MO LCSW 2016036974

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dr. Paula Alvarez. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Dr. Alvarez is an outstanding therapist. She is caring and compassionate, and inspires me to look at myself and learn more about who I want to be. She inspires me!

Written on Mar 31, 2026 after therapy with Paula for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes

She’s amazing.

Written on Mar 29, 2026 after therapy with Paula for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, anger management, and coping with life changes

Paula is, I think, remarkable.
I am exceptionally fortunate to have found her. I can now look forward to recovery and living a better quality of life. Long overdue.
Period.

Written on Mar 09, 2026 after therapy with Paula for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes

Dr. Alvarez has been understanding, supportive and provided some very helpful resources in our first meeting. I look forward to continuing therapy sessions

Written on Feb 21, 2026 after therapy with Paula for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd

I’ve found her very helpful. She’s a terrific listener.

Written on Feb 14, 2026 after therapy with Paula for 1 month

Dr. Alvarez is extremely compassionate and competent! She has been essential in my mental health journey.

Written on Dec 03, 2025 after therapy with Paula for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes