LGBT therapists in San Francisco, CA

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.

I veiw the path of a human life span, as each of us interact and peerceives the environment around us in our own unique way. My goal is to help clients look at their options, evaluate choices towarda healthier outcome. My work has involved in helping clients toward building better communication between couples, family members, and individual relationships. It is my belief that counseling / psychotherapy can provide a safe place where personal challenges can be processed, and finding choices toward enhancing the quality of life and improve relationships.

Before earning my Masters in Counseling, I earned a PhD in social and personality psychology. This background deeply informs how I show up as a therapist. I help clients address unresolved trauma and grief, anxiety and OCD, address relationship issues, as well as "problems of everyday living." My style is active, engaged, and practical.

If a past relationship left you doubting yourself — especially one marked by psychological or emotional abuse — you're not alone, and it's not a sign something's wrong with you. Even if life looks fine on the outside, you may feel confused, depleted, or unsure of your own reality. You don't need it all figured out to start, just a readiness to do the work. Together, we'll make sense of what happened, untangle the cycles that kept repeating, and rebuild a grounded sense of self — so you can trust your own voice again. Using a trauma-informed, integrative approach, I help you move from self-doubt to self-trust.

You don't have to filter yourself here—not your thoughts, your story, or the parts you're still making sense of. If you're tired of second-guessing yourself and ready to rebuild something solid, you deserve a space where you can show up fully, without judgment, and start trusting your own voice again.

Hi, I'm J! I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of experience working with individuals and relationships across a range of settings, from community mental health to private practice. My approach is interactive, dynamic, and deeply engaged, because I believe real progress happens when therapy feels like a genuine partnership. Whether you're navigating long-standing challenges or facing something new, I'm here to help you move forward. I currently see clients via Telehealth and can't wait to connect with you!

Seeking help can be the first step to acquire greater understanding and insight into our lives and relationships.

I specialize in helping clients navigating trauma, anxiety, panic disorder, depression, LGBTQ+ issues, grief, & much more. I earned my MSW from New York University in 2011 and have worked as a forensic social worker in NYC at The Legal Aid Society & have also worked with Gay Men's Health Crisis, Services for the Underserved, Footsteps & Office of the Appellate Defender. I moved to Los Angeles in 2017 and have been in private practice since 2018.