Dr. Paula Alvarez, LCSW
Client-centered care for change and resilience
- Trauma and anxiety support
- Anger management skills
- Geriatric wellbeing focus
About Dr. Paula Alvarez
Her background includes work in locked and outpatient mental health facilities over the last 30 years, supporting clients across a wide range of concerns. Dr. Alvarez has also facilitated group treatment for domestic violence perpetrators for eight years in both Spanish and English. She focuses on trauma-related symptoms, anxiety, depression, anger management, geriatric well-being, mental health recovery, cultural diversity concerns, and self-esteem, bringing a steady, practical style to complex life experiences.
Dr. Alvarez practices from a client-centered foundation inspired by Carl Rogers, emphasizing that clients are the experts on their own lives. Sessions are shaped around what the client wants to work on, with room for structure when it is helpful. For clients who prefer skills and strategies, she incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques and can offer optional homework assignments and bibliotherapy. She also draws from Brief Solution Focused Therapy, Trauma-Informed Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing techniques to support meaningful, values-aligned change at a pace that fits the individual.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
Therapeutic Approach
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Paula Alvarez have?
Dr. Paula Alvarez has 35 years of experience as a therapist.
Is Dr. Paula Alvarez a licensed therapist?
Yes. Dr. Paula Alvarez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She holds California license CA LCSW 19790 and Illinois license IL LCSW 149.023704.
In which languages does Dr. Paula Alvarez provide therapy?
Dr. Paula Alvarez provides therapy in English.
Where is Dr. Paula Alvarez located?
Dr. Paula Alvarez is located in Missouri.
How can I work with Dr. Paula Alvarez as my therapist?
Clients can work with Dr. Paula Alvarez through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, depending on what fits their needs and scheduling.
Does Dr. Paula Alvarez work with international clients?
Yes. Dr. Paula Alvarez works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Paula Alvarez cost?
The cost of therapy can vary based on factors such as location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For the most current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Evidence-based approaches, delivered online with flexibility
Dr. Paula Alvarez integrates practical, client-centered care with structured tools when they are helpful. In Client-Centered Therapy, the focus is on creating space for clients to clarify what matters most to them and to feel understood, which can be especially supportive when navigating stress, grief, life transitions, or self-esteem concerns.She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a skills-based approach that helps clients notice unhelpful patterns in thoughts and behaviors and practice new ways of responding. CBT can be a good fit for concerns like anxiety, depression, anger, and day-to-day coping challenges. When emotions feel intense or hard to manage, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) strategies can add practical skills for staying grounded, tolerating distress, and improving communication in relationships.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. Dr. Alvarez works collaboratively with clients to identify goals, preferences, and what has or has not worked before, then tailors sessions to match those needs over time.
Online therapy makes it easier to access support in ways that fit real life. Clients can meet with Dr. Alvarez through video calls or phone sessions, and can also use live chat or text-based messaging for added flexibility between sessions.