Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Laguna Niguel, CA

I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and Lead Clinician. I received my Master of Arts from Western Kentucky University have been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1996 and provided services in child welfare settings involving abused and neglected children and parents who experienced addiction, trauma, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I also have years of experience working in a private practice setting, working with teens, adults, couples and active duty military. I also specialize in treating trauma and PTSD using EMDR.

Respect, understanding, and compassion are balanced with training and experience that will facilitate the most healing process from start to finish. We all face challenges, and have unexpected life events that have the capacity to set us back. However, 25 years of experience working with children and adolescents, couples in crisis, men, and those with addictions has prepared me to be uniquely qualified to help you on a new journey..

When working with clients, I strive to make the therapy experience respectful and genuine. Everyone's journey to personal resilience is unique and there is no one size fits all solution. My approach is flexible and client centered. I often explore childhood attachment issues which can assist the client in achieving sustained emotional growth.

• I believe therapy is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to ourselves. It is an opportunity to explore and learn about the mysteries of our inner self. When I am working with a client both of us discover a vast new world that waits to unfold. I studied at Pacifica Graduate Institute, a graduate school dedicated to discovering the inner contents of the self and the secrets of the archetypes of our humanity. I believe in working with my clients face to face, together, by sharing a journey in order to learn about the hardships of today while gaining knowledge about past and present experiences. I believe in and encourage my client’s strength and ability to solve their own problems and become the healers of their own wounds. I work as a guide and as a fellow traveler in your journey toward self discovery. With every step we take toward discovery, I work hand in hand with my clients, letting them lead in finding the sources of their suffering and their capability to heal them. Treatment Modalities: Person Centered Therapy, Post Jungian, Family Systems, Trauma Theory, Sex Therapy, and working within the Feminine Principle. I work with LGBTQ community and with all kind of diversity. At Eye Of The Storm counseling I specialize with Adolescents, Adults, Relationships, Individuation, Immigration, Life Changes, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma, Sexual Issues, Personal Growth and Development, Life Style issues, and Court referrals.

I love doing this work! I consider it a great privilege to walk alongside my clients, to partner with them, support them in their journey, and witness their growth.

As a licensed therapist with both an MSW and a PhD in clinical practice and research, I bring a depth of academic knowledge and real-world experience to my work with individuals and couples. My approach is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and evidence-based strategies tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.

I specialize in helping people navigate life transitions, relationship challenges, emotional resilience, and self-exploration. Whether you're seeking personal growth or looking to strengthen your connection with a partner, my goal is to create a safe, affirming space where meaningful insight and change can emerge.

Welcome, I'm glad you're here. I’m a warm and compassionate therapist with several years of experience working in mental health. I hold a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and work with people who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply wanting to understand themselves more deeply. I take a collaborative approach, tailoring our sessions to your unique needs and goals. My priority is creating a space where you feel supported, seen, and safe to explore whatever comes up.

We all reach seasons of life that feel bigger than what we expected to carry.

Maybe becoming a parent has felt more overwhelming than you imagined. Maybe your baby spent time in the NICU, and life after coming home hasn't looked the way you thought it would. Maybe you're a new dad trying to find your footing, feeling anxious, disconnected, or unsure of where you fit. Maybe you're worried about your child's development, or maybe you're navigating anxiety, relationship challenges, or a major life transition of your own.

I work with children, adolescents, adults, and families, with specialized experience supporting early childhood mental health, developmental differences and neurodiversity, pregnancy and postpartum, and families navigating NICU stays and medically complex journeys.

Whatever brings you here, my goal is to help you better understand what's happening, feel more confident moving forward, and create meaningful change that lasts beyond the therapy space.

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.

My personal and professional experiences have shaped my passion for supporting others through life’s transitions. As a military spouse for many years, I experienced firsthand the challenges of relocation, adapting to new environments, and rebuilding support systems. I have experience supporting individuals and families through grief, medical challenges, and emotional stress in both medical and school settings. I support adults navigating anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, relationship challenges, life transitions, and feelings of overwhelm or disconnection. I especially enjoy helping people through significant changes and adjusting to new seasons of life.