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Dr. Paula Alvarez, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Paula is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

5.0 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Paula. View 77 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in California, Missouri, and 1 more

Recent reviews

Dr. Alvarez has been extremely supportive and encouraging of my growth journey. This is the first therapist I’ve had genuine faith in guiding me and I always look forward to my sessions with her :)

Reviewed November 2024

Dr. Alvarez was amazing I really feel a big weight off my shoulders. Thank you for your expertise. I can't wait until next session. Something positive to look forward to.

Reviewed November 2024

More about Paula

  • 30 years' experience
  • Female
  • LCSW

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.

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Trauma and abuse Anger management Bipolar disorder Depression Addictions LGBT Relationship issues Family conflicts Grief Intimacy-related issues Parenting issues Self esteem Career difficulties Coping with life changes Coaching Abandonment Aging and geriatric issues Caregiver issues and stress Codependency Communication problems Control issues Divorce and separation 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 Social anxiety and phobia Women's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Treatment Approaches

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Hypnotherapy
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Trauma-Focused Therapy
  • Internal Family Systems

Licenses

Dr. Paula Alvarez's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1710020227.

  • LCSW · California · 19790 · Expires December 2025
  • LCSW · Missouri · 2016036974 · Expires September 2026
  • LCSW · Illinois · 149.023704 · Expires November 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling, also known as teletherapy, is a method of delivering mental health services through digital means such as video conferencing, phone calls, or messaging platforms. It can be an ideal option for individuals who have difficulty accessing traditional therapy due to geographical distance, time constraints, or personal preferences like privacy and comfort. Many people find it easier to open up from the familiarity of their own space.

Teletherapy has been found to be highly effective, with studies showing that it can produce similar outcomes to in-person therapy, particularly for issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The flexibility and accessibility it offers make it a valuable alternative to conventional therapy settings.

Reviews for Dr. Paula Alvarez

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

5.0

77 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Amazing Helped Listens Great Recommend Support Thank you Professional Helpful Wonderful

Dr. Alvarez has been extremely supportive and encouraging of my growth journey. This is the first therapist I’ve had genuine faith in guiding me and I always look forward to my sessions with her :)

Reviewed November 2024

Dr. Alvarez was amazing I really feel a big weight off my shoulders. Thank you for your expertise. I can't wait until next session. Something positive to look forward to.

Reviewed November 2024

Dr. Alvarez is great and easy to speak with. She listens and provides many options to assist me. Just talking to her makes me feel at ease.

Reviewed November 2024

Had my first session, she was patient, interested, very clear, and helpful in identifying my concerns. Can't wait to attend more with her!

Reviewed November 2024

Dr. Alvarez is extremely understanding and gives me the opportunity to express myself above anything else!

Reviewed November 2024

Dr Paula has been an amazing inspiration and a great help during one of the most difficult years of my life. When my brain tells me I can’t go on, she really listens and assures me I’m worth it in this world and when this storm passes this work we’re doing will be worth it! I’m so happy to have found such an amazing soul.

Reviewed November 2024

She is amazing. I have felt comfortable from the first day I met her. I’ve learned so much about myself and my childhood and why I am the way I am. Every day I do my best to better myself and it has been a pleasure talking to someone that has made that a possibility. She’s a joy to talk to!

Reviewed September 2024

My therapist is kind enough and respectful listening is one of her biggest strengths I think

Reviewed September 2024

She has been wonderful

Reviewed July 2024

Dr Alvarez is kind, responsive, and a good listener. I appreciate her approach to therapy and depth of experience. She's helping me get a better sense of what i need to do to feel better.

Reviewed July 2024

Resourceful!

Reviewed July 2024

Dr. Alvare's is a kind and caring person. Her insights are spot on and she responds very quickly. She has already helped me a great deal. I have gained confidence and know that I am not alone. I especially enjoy the journal excercises.

Reviewed July 2024

super empathetic and patient

Reviewed June 2024

Dr. Alvarez is amazing. I’ve only had a few sessions with her but I can already see the progress. I feel so comfortable with her

Reviewed June 2024

Very good

Reviewed June 2024

Es una excelente doctora. La recomiendo 100%

Reviewed May 2024

We are only a few conversations in, but she provides a safe space to talk.

Reviewed May 2024

I’m just starting, but I immediately connected with Dr Alvarez. She listens so well - even when I talk too fast! I love that she has so much experience and can relate to my life challenges and hopeless feelings. Such a blessing! I’m a bit excited to move forward and dig in.

Reviewed April 2024

Dr Alvarez is rly great, she listens n givez me homework.

Reviewed March 2024

Active listener !

Reviewed February 2024

She’s kind. And a wonderful listener. Just what I was looking for.

Reviewed February 2024

Dr. Alvarez has been a great therapist and listens to all my concerns. She is thoughtful and professional and really understands me. I am very happy I found her!

Reviewed January 2024

I’ve appreciated the encouragement that I’ve received from Dr. Alvarez thus far I am two weeks into my therapy relationship with her. But, she is an active listener and always ready to provide helpful suggestions to nudge me along my personal development journey with a warm bedside manner.

Reviewed January 2024

Paula is amazing and helped me tremendously. She is very good at listening but also very sharp at picking up things I myself did not know about what I was doing. Absolutely love working with her - changed my life.

Reviewed January 2024

A truly empathetic and knowledgeable individual. She validates you while also helping you work towards solutions. The perfect blend. She is emotionally available and real. She's personable in a way that doesn't make the relationship feel too clinical. I would highly recommend her!

Reviewed September 2022

Down to earth and honest!

Reviewed September 2022

Dr. Alvarez has made a huge impact on my life-she’s helped me understand behaviors I have had for years and gives wonderful insight into them. I can’t recommend her enough.

Reviewed August 2022

Paula is incredibly experienced, and is a wonderfully empathetic person. She really understands her client’s needs, and provides insightful, helpful information. I’m happy to work with her!

Reviewed August 2022

She listens and understands !!!!!… she also does so well in understanding my perspective. So professional and friendly at the same time.

Reviewed August 2022

Dr. Alvarez is so kind and supportive…she listens to me and offers her expertise and lets me know I am ok and will be ok…she also provides reading exercises to help with my issues and gives support to me…highly recommended!! Thank you!!

Reviewed August 2022

Very understanding and knowledgeable person. Easy to talk to ann open up to.

Reviewed July 2022

Working with Dr. Alvarez has been a relief for me and I feel respected and seen. Even after only two virtual meetings I already feel a little better. Thank you!

Reviewed July 2022

Dr Paula is the absolute best! She has been so much help, and I've solved so many issues with my mental health with her .

Reviewed July 2022

I think it's too early for me to gage completely into the situation but per my experience, Dr Alvarez is a good listener and responds to my messages in a timely manner. She's empathetic and I'm hoping I'll be able to find a solution with her experience and expertise in psychology.

Reviewed June 2022

She is amazing. Kind, friendly, honest and is a master at what she does. Would recommend her to everyone. Thank you!

Reviewed June 2022

I’m only 3 sessions into this and I already have learned so much about why I do what I do. She is a wealth of information and has recommended some excellent books to help me.

Reviewed March 2022

Paula has been there for me and understood my struggles and helped me step by step.

Reviewed March 2022

Dr. Alvarez is amazing. She has helped me so much in just the little time that I have been seeing her. She asks the perfect questions and is a great listener. I always get excited to talk to her.

Reviewed February 2022

Dr Alvarez is experienced, empathetic, forward moving when dealing with CPTSD and childhood sexual abuse trauma issues. She is able to support me both as a survivor and as an organizer of a peer support group of my own. She understands te issues on a deep level and is able to help me come to new realization for myself.

Reviewed January 2022

Paula was (and is) excellent. She helped me tackle my issues head on and was an invaluable resource. I’m so much better off than I was before working with her, and I cannot recommend her services enough!

Reviewed January 2022

I think therapy is an ongoing journey and taking the small tips and advices makes a big difference. thank you for helping me take on this journey! much grace

Reviewed December 2021

Dr.Alvarez is absolutely incredible! I feel so grateful for a chance to work with her! Both professional and caring, I finally feel like I’m making progress

Reviewed December 2021

Like her very much

Reviewed November 2021

Dr. Alvarez helped me to overcome my struggles related to narcissistic abuse, but what’s more important, is that we went further in our discussions and I could understand thus accept myself better. This way, I stand stronger when it comes to other life challenges as well: I’m more confident, mindful and patient. I accepted myself and that healing takes time, and that the remaining scars are valuable reminders to be proud of.

Reviewed November 2021

Paula Alvarez achieves a wonderful balance of approachability and professionalism! This has been my first experience working with a therapist, and that balance has been extremely helpful for me to first feel comfortable with opening up and exploring thoughts/topics that are difficult for me to address, and then feeling genuinely hopeful because the sessions with her are constructive and productive. Whether I'm having good days or bad days, I always look forward to our weekly sessions!

Reviewed September 2021

Paula is an amazing therapist. Two enthusiastic thumbs up! I'm inspired by her as a woman who keeps learning and growing. Her support and genuine interest in my mental and physical health is priceless. I have so much appreciation for her understanding of my specific needs . Using Betterhelp.com during this unique time in history has enabled me to adjust to our new normal in a healthy and peaceful way. With Paula's support and encouragement, I've been able to level up in my therapy and reach places I never knew possible.

Reviewed September 2021

I was always told by people around me how difficult it was to find a good therapist that you feel a connection with, when starting therapy. That you most likely will fall upon a lot of people who don't interact with you, who just seem to scribble on their paper, and who don't make the sessions feel helpful at all. That you'll have to kiss a lot of frigs before you find your therapist prince. That discouraged me from seeking therapy for a long time. But when I tried fir the first through Betterhelp, I was assigned Dr Alvarez. I felt from the very first session that I had found my therapist prince. She's very interactive, you can tell that she listens and cares. I feel heard and even after only 2 sessions, I've been feeling better each time and looking forward to the next one. Anyone would be lucky to be assigned Dr Alvarez as their therapist.

Reviewed September 2021

Paula has been a wonderful counselor. She helped me through a difficult breakup and is guiding me through the next phase of my life. We have worked on self-esteem issues, and I've gained various tools to help with creating boundaries and expressing my needs. I look forward to my session each week to gain new insights and share some of my own with her. She is supportive, warm and encouraging. I feel like a different person and am much more confident.

Reviewed September 2021

Dr. Alvarez has made me feel listened to and assured that we will work together to help me enjoy life more again without the worries.

Reviewed August 2021

Dr. Alvarez has been fantastic to work with. She is an attentive listener, and provides her own input always in an intelligent and appropriate manner. She always helps me see and understand a range of different perspectives on a situation which I may not have been able to see otherwise. This has been crucial to my progress overtime. She genuinely cares about my problems and well being and has provided numerous exercises for me to get on with inbetween sessions and to use on a day to day basis. I am very grateful for her help!

Reviewed August 2021

Down to earth and honest, but also approachable. I appreciate that!

Reviewed August 2021

Caring and helped me very much during a time of need.

Reviewed August 2021

Dr. Alvarez has helped me identify and realize things within my life that affects my self-confidence and trust within others. She's a great listener and helps me come to realizations that are helpful for my self-esteem. She's truly great!

Reviewed August 2021

Dr. Paula is a warm-hearted expert. She is considerate and patient.

Reviewed August 2021

I've only had two sessions with Paula so far, but I could tell from the outset that she was going to give me the support I so badly needed. Paula really listens, and her feedback is thoughtful and often challenging - something I'm happy to receive as it's delivered in such a compassionate way. I appreciate the fact that Paula openly shares her own past struggles with mental health, so I know she understands from more than just an intellectual perspective. She checks in with me via the BetterHelp platform with kind messages and helpful bits of information, something I really had not expected when I signed up to the app. Although Paula lives in the US and I am in London, I feel so fortunate to have connected with someone who just gets it. I know this process will never be a quick fix, but it helps SO much to know there's a person out there who understands and doesn't judge. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, insomnia or a related condition, I can not recommend Paula more highly. All the glowing testimonials from her former clients are true. Thank you Paula and thank you BetterHelp for connecting us across continents!

Reviewed July 2021

Dr. Alvarez positive smile and attitude won my heart right the way. She is caring and patient friend - Paula, who listens to you carefully and presents solutions to your worries right the way. Been having sessions with Dr. Paula Alvarez for some time already and feeling improvement. Thank you BetterHelp and Dr. Alvarez! Wish you all the best in your continuous success!

Reviewed July 2021

Great counselor

Reviewed July 2021

Paula has been a wonderful therapist. She's kind and insightful and I feel so positive about the progress I've made since I began meeting with her. I would recommend her to anyone looking for support, guidance and just plain common sense thinking. I've never spoken with a therapist that has been so attentive and understanding. I'm so happy I found her!

Reviewed May 2021

Paula helped me in the darkest times, when I was suffering from narcissistic abuse. Thanks to the discussions we had, I understood the mechanism of this relationship and could gain the power back on my life. Paula did’t push the general statements related to this phenomenon, but dived deep with me into the underlying issues and helped solve them as well. Now I feel confident, I am happy and have got faith in a happy and successful future both in my private and professional life. I will be forever grateful for her support and that I found her even from the other side of the globe.

Reviewed May 2021

Paula is indispensable. Not only does she genuinely care about me, providing great insight based on many years of experience, but she is also able to provide advice and ideas on a whole range of subjects. As a new parent, I have particularly found her insights on early years development, parenting and family relationships to be really great.

Reviewed April 2021

Since the very first meeting we had, Paula made comfortable and it felt like speaking with a friend. I appreciate her encouraging and supportive approach to everything I was struggling with. Her approach to the problems I had were focusing on the "how-to" of dealing with them. I definitely will rely on her for future therapy.

Reviewed April 2021

Paula is incredible. I still cant believe how much my life has improved emotionally in the time since I’ve met her. I started therapy as a last resort after having trouble getting through the day emotionally. Today, I feel back to being myself and feel excited for the future! Paula takes the time to listen, and understand your anguish, and always has a multitude of tools to help you feel better. I cannot thank Paula enough and highly recommend her.

Reviewed April 2021

Paula is not only an amazing person to work with but she is an amazing person in general. She made me feel so safe and made me realize there is nothing wrong with me. She is always here to listen and offer good advice. Her methods are so useful and she never makes me feel guilty or judge me. She is a professional and an amazing spirit. Working with her has been a blessing and I am so grateful for her. Thank you so much Paula

Reviewed April 2021

Paula has helped me come so far in battling my demons and moving past my trauma. She is so honest and supportive!

Reviewed April 2021

Paula has been amazing. This was my first time doing therapy, and it's so far proven to be very nice to have

Reviewed March 2021

Paula has many years of real world experience in addition to being a amazing therapist. She's very down to earth and I've found it easy to connect with her. I highly recommend her.

Reviewed March 2021

Paula is so wonderful and caring. She is really helping me get through a difficult time. She is very professional and listens to my needs/concerns. Paula gives me activities and readings that have encouraged me to understand myself better. I’m so thankful for her support.

Reviewed March 2021

Paula is great! After having gone through a few counsellors on Betterhelp that did not click as well as I had hoped, I got matched with Paula, and she has been amazing. She's very attentive and listens to your concerns and I never feel rushed through our sessions. I highly recommend her.

Reviewed February 2021

Paula is a joy to work with. There is no doubt that Paula cares about you and works hard. I did not have high expectations joining this app and surprisingly, she has exceeded my expectations. Paula is considerate, validating and listens deeply to my long winded rants, responding with clear advice and understanding. Working with Paula has been truly rewarding.

Reviewed February 2021

Paula is an excellent therapist and has a tremendous amount of professional and life experience to back it up. I am not as keen to the messaging and phone calls, and Paula always has time for a thorough video session. I have been able to dial in my goals and take concrete steps towards achieving them much thanks for her help. I highly recommend working with her!

Reviewed February 2021

Very down to earth and real. Supportive and honest

Reviewed February 2021

I feel very fortunate because Paula is exactly what I was looking for in a counselor. She's clinically experienced, very perceptive, she has excellent communication skills, helps me set short term goals that are neither too difficult nor too easy, she provides the right amount of support for me, she uses humor (we laugh sometimes) and most of all, she's clearly committed to my success in the counseling process.

Reviewed January 2021

Very caring, understanding, and professional. Thank you!

Reviewed January 2021

Paula is an absolute star! She’s a calm , sympathetic, and active listener, and her gentle manner makes you feel safe and heard. She helped me recognize patterns while reminding me to put myself first.

Reviewed December 2020

She is lovely, she listens and offers helpful tips on my problems and ways to deal with them.

Reviewed September 2020

Paula is wonderful. She’s incredibly attentive. She let’s me speak when I need to share but also provides professional insight when appropriate. I feel very comfortable working and talking with Paula.

Reviewed September 2020

Paula takes the time to ask questions and tries to understand her patients thoughts and presents the whole picture, she is very knowledgeable and gives you information you can look and and learn about outside of your sessions. She is very empowering to her patients.

Reviewed September 2020

How was your experience with Paula?

Frequently asked questions

Does Dr. Paula Alvarez offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Dr. Paula Alvarez works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Dr. Paula Alvarez speak?

Dr. Paula Alvarez speaks English.

How many years of experience does Dr. Paula Alvarez have?

Dr. Paula Alvarez has 30 years of experience.

Where is Dr. Paula Alvarez licensed to practice?

Dr. Paula Alvarez is licensed to practice in California, Missouri, and Illinois.

Does Dr. Paula Alvarez accept clients outside of the United States?

Yes, Dr. Paula Alvarez accepts clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

What treatment approaches does Dr. Paula Alvarez offer?

Dr. Paula Alvarez offers clients Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.

How can I communicate with Dr. Paula Alvarez?

Dr. Paula Alvarez can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Dr. Paula Alvarez?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

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Phone
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When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.