Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Berkeley, CA covered by Cigna

Hi, I'm Mark.

I work with adolescents, teens, young adults, and adults who struggle with anxiety, depression, anger, and relationships.

If you feel overwhelmed by emotions, we can face these challenges together with a good plan and the right tools. I have a lot of experience working with neurodiversity, anxiety, and self-harm.

Therapy can expand and strengthen your network of support, especially during difficult times. Reach out today--I'd love to answer any questions and share more.

I'm an interactive bi-cultural somatic expressive arts therapist who brings a lot of joy to the work she does, creating safety to address challenges people face. I offer a unique blend of person-centered, humanistic, transpersonal-oriented somatic-based Expressive Arts therapy and energy practices in German and English. I welcome a variety of clients across cultures, ages, lifestyles, and sexual/gender orientations.

Are you in life transition or coping with anxiety and stress ? Are you searching for deeper meaning to feel more joy and peace? Are you going through life’s uncertainty due to factors of life transition, illness, aging, identity crisis, retirement, loss of loved ones, financial stress, women’s hormonal changes? Do you want more Meaningful positive experiences and becoming your Best Authentic Self?

I am here to provide you with compassionate care, kindness and psychological and emotional support. You deserve to experience peace of mind and wellness. Life invites growth through transitions which require us to change and make tough decisions. am here to support you to THRIVE in times of change.

About Me:

I am guided by my values of Compassion, Wisdom, Healing and Empowerment. My focus is helping people THRIVE in healthy lifestyle and wellbeing.

I practice Ayurveda, a holistic lifestyle system from India that promotes balance of mind, body, and spirit through daily habits, nutrition, and self-care.

I work with adults struggling with anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. Many of my clients are professionals who appear successful and capable on the outside but privately feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck.

I also work extensively with men and husbands who have spent years believing they should be able to handle life's challenges on their own.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent more than 25 years in engineering and organizational leadership. That experience gives me an appreciation for the pressures of work, relationships, family responsibilities, and the challenge of balancing competing demands while trying to keep everything together.

I’m passionate about helping those who need help mentally and emotionally

I enjoy bringing humor and kindness to my sessions I want to know what you need and will do my best with helping you get there

My passion is to help others find more joy and meaning in their lives. I work creatively and collaboratively with adults, teens, and children to explore the heart of the matter. I have experience working in the schools, with a team at a counseling clinic, and in private practice. I specialize with teenagers and their families and moving into couples work as well.

I'm an open minded individual and welcome any topics in treatment

There are some things in life that are too hard to face alone. If you or a loved one have experienced trauma, relationship struggles, stresses related to parenting or taking care of an aging parent, grief at the loss of a beloved member of your life, anxiety, depression, survivor or witness to abuse, or seeking tools for living with wellness. Please come and be welcome in a healing space.

People say I am a good listener so I will get to know you and the goals you bring to therapy

Please note that although I enjoy working with couples, I will no longer be able to offer couples therapy due to insurance reimbursement issues.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC II) with over 25 years of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families as they navigate life and the concerns that arise. I specialize in addiction, trauma, and co-occurring mental health challenges. I bring a deep commitment to meeting people where they are in their process. In my practice, I offer a warm, collaborative, and trauma-informed space where clients feel seen, heard, and supported. I believe meaningful change happens when we honor each person’s lived experience and work together toward self-identified goals at a pace that feels safe and manageable. I meet clients where they are, whether they are just beginning to explore change or looking to deepen their healing and personal growth.

I’m Elba Alvarado, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. My work is rooted in the belief that healing begins in relationships — with ourselves, with others, and with the stories we carry. I hold space for people navigating the quiet weight of expectations, the complexity of identity, and the patterns that shape how we show up in the world.

I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Vanguard University and my Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University and I have been providing therapy since 2018.