We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Patricia Alvarado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Patricia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success, in my view, is a combination of purpose, perseverance, and genuine connection. When I began my journey as a therapist, I knew I wanted to create a practice that went beyond just talking about symptoms. I wanted a space where people could truly heal, experience hope, and reconnect with their inner strengths. That guiding purpose helped me stay motivated—even through the early days of building Alvarado Therapy, when I was juggling countless hours of training and the usual growing pains of a small business.

One story that stands out is when I first integrated EMDR into my therapeutic approach. I remember having a client who had tried multiple modalities without much progress. EMDR was new to both of us, but we dove in together with open minds. Witnessing how this client gradually let go of a deeply rooted traumatic memory—and ultimately start living with more confidence—was the moment I realized I was on the right path. It underscored that success in this field isn’t measured only by numbers or accolades; it’s about **meaningful results** in people’s lives.

From that experience, I refined my philosophy on success:

1. Stay True to Your Mission: Whether it’s trauma work, EMDR, or integrative healing, let your core purpose guide you.
2. Keep Learning: We grow by seeking new skills and methods—ongoing training and professional curiosity are crucial.
3. Build Authentic Connections: Healing happens through trust and collaboration. Success comes when clients feel safe, heard, and empowered.
4. Embrace Setbacks as Lessons: Challenges are inevitable; what matters is how you learn from them and adapt.

Ultimately, I believe success is about helping others move toward wholeness and well-being, while you continue to evolve as a practitioner and person. That client’s transformation with EMDR reminded me that if you stay dedicated to a meaningful purpose, the rest tends to fall into place.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Patricia Alvarado—Founder of Alvarado Therapy, Licensed Psychotherapist, and EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant. My passion for this work began with my own recognition of how deeply life’s challenges can affect us, especially when we don’t have the right support. I’ve always been fascinated by how resilient we can be, and I felt called to create a safe, affirming space where people can process trauma, grief, anxiety, and other life stressors in a way that feels authentic and culturally relevant.

How I Got Started
My journey into mental health began with a desire to better understand the stories and struggles of individuals in my community—particularly those who’ve experienced trauma or marginalization. I pursued the helping profession because it took a holistic, justice-oriented approach to care. Over time, I trained in various modalities, eventually specializing in trauma treatment methods like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Seeing the profound changes EMDR can bring inspired me to deepen my expertise, become a consultant, and help other therapists learn this powerful approach.

What I Offer
– Therapy Services: I work primarily with adults, teens, and families dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, or life transitions. My approach is integrative, blending evidence-based practices like EMDR and somatic work with mindfulness and holistic modalities.
– Consultation & Supervision: As an EMDRIA-approved Consultant, I guide fellow clinicians seeking advanced EMDR training or clinical supervision. Helping other therapists grow their skills ensures that our communities can access high-quality, trauma-informed care.
– Workshops & Programs: I host workshops, participate in speaking engagements and provide psychoeducational programs (both online and in-person), focused on emotional well-being, cultural competence in therapy, and resilience-building techniques.

A large part of my work revolves around supporting individuals who’ve experienced complex or racialized trauma, relationship challenges, and self-esteem issues. Clients often come to me feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from themselves and their communities. Through a collaborative therapeutic process, we uncover core wounds, develop coping strategies, and work towards renewed self-confidence, healthier relationships, and a deeper sense of personal empowerment.

What Sets Me Apart
1. Culturally Responsive Lens: I’m committed to creating an inclusive, culturally sensitive environment. I believe that honoring each client’s identity and lived experience is critical to genuine healing.
2. Holistic, Mind-Body Perspective: My practice goes beyond traditional talk therapy. I integrate somatic awareness, mindfulness, and spiritual considerations (when appropriate) to address trauma on multiple levels—mind, body, and spirit.
3. EMDR & Trauma Specialty: I’m passionate about EMDR because it effectively works with the nervous system to help release long-held traumatic memories. My expertise allows me to tailor each session, ensuring that clients feel safe and supported throughout the process.

I’m incredibly proud of the transformations I’ve witnessed—whether it’s someone finding relief from chronic anxiety, regaining a sense of purpose after loss, or letting go of limiting beliefs shaped by past trauma. Building a practice that centers on authenticity, compassion, and real-life results has been both my greatest challenge and my most significant achievement.

I value real connection and strive to ensure each client feels truly seen and heard, recognizing that healing goes beyond resolving symptoms and focuses on fostering meaningful relationships—with oneself and with others. Because everyone’s story is unique, I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, so we’ll collaborate on a treatment plan that aligns with your personal values, cultural background, and comfort level. Regardless of how difficult your journey may have been, I believe hope and resilience are always possible, and I’ll walk alongside you, offering unwavering support, tools, and insights. As both a therapist and a consultant, I remain dedicated to ongoing growth and learning, continually refining my methods to bring the best practices and most up-to-date research to each session or training.

Ultimately, my mission is to help individuals and communities experience deep, lasting change—whether through one-on-one therapy, professional consultations, or collective healing work. Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit about me. I hope our paths cross in a way that supports your own growth and well-being. If you have any questions or would like to connect, please reach out—I’m here to help!

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

For me, the most effective strategy has been using social media as an educational platform alongside consistent networking with other professionals in the field. By sharing helpful, trauma-informed content, I’m able to build trust and credibility with potential clients long before we ever speak directly. My peers and colleagues often refer people to me when they recognize that my specific skill set—particularly in EMDR and trauma work—could benefit someone they’re working with or know personally. So it’s really a two-pronged approach: providing valuable information through social channels, and creating genuine connections with other mental health providers and community organizations. Over time, that combination has organically expanded my reach and brought new clients who feel a sense of confidence and familiarity even before our first session. Don’t be afraid to show up and take up space!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation grew out of a commitment to authenticity, cultural responsiveness, and deep expertise in trauma treatment—especially EMDR. By listening attentively to clients’ needs and consistently delivering on what I promise, I’ve earned the trust of both clients and colleagues. Word-of-mouth referrals from professionals who see how dedicated I am to ongoing learning and high-quality care have also been instrumental. In short, it’s about being genuine, informed, and consistently reliable with each person I serve.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://alvaradotherapy.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alvaradotherapy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alvaradotherapy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-alvarado-m-a-lpcc-lmhc-87b5807a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Alvaradotherapy
• Other: https://patriciaealvarado.com