Grief counselors and therapists in Yucca Valley, CA

I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, certified in Spiritual Guidance and Expressive Art, with a multi-cultural background. I bring a warm, person-centered approach to my practice. I have a passion for working with older adults, especially those navigating life transitions, and I offer therapy in Farsi, Turkish, and English. My focus is on creating a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood.

I am a bicultural, 55-year-old and very proud father of two adolescents. In this growing age of isolation and need for sincere, genuine human connection, it has never been more important to regain our sense of control and serenity. The foundation of our work together is based on restoring this basic human need. I believe the answers lie in the path itself, not just in reaching the destination. Together, we will learn to welcome challenges as opportunities.

I specialize in helping children, families, and adults navigate anxiety, depression, grief, family stress, and men's mental health. I work with clients from infants and toddlers through adults, which means I can support the whole family, not just one person. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all therapy, and I won't treat you like a checklist. The work I do is practical, collaborative, and focused on helping you direct your life, not just understand it.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 28 years of experience in the mental health field. I earned my Master of Social Work (MSW) from the Hunter School of Social Work and have lived and practiced in California for over three decades. My professional background includes extensive work with older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness, and adults living with severe and persistent mental illness. I am known for my patient, compassionate, and attentive approach, and I strive to be fully engaged and present with every client I serve. My goal is to provide thoughtful, individualized support that helps clients feel understood and empowered in their therapeutic journey.

I am a licensed clinical psychologist with a doctorate in clinical psychology and more than twenty years of experience. My doctoral training was completed at an APA-accredited program, and I have spent my career helping people through high-pressure seasons of life.

I work primarily with adults and busy professionals, often the ones others rely on. Many of my clients look like they have it handled while quietly carrying anxiety, stress, burnout, or an exhaustion they have learned to push through. I also work with clients navigating life and career transitions and those healing from trauma. What people tell me they appreciate most is that I am warm and direct at the same time.

My clients tell me I am extremely non judgemental, empathic and very safe to talk to. I also work directly WITH you to set your desired goals and what you want from your therapy. One of my joys is to help my clients learn how to be their individual authentic selves complete with confidence, clarity and calm.

Choosing a therapist is a big decision, and it helps to know a little about the person you’ll be working with. With more than 18 years in behavioral health, I’ve supported people from all walks of life through mental health challenges, trauma, and major life transitions. Whatever brought you here, I’d be honored to walk alongside you as you move forward with more confidence and resilience.

My name is Gillermina Alvarado and I go by Mina. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in Riverside, CA, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I received my Master's from the University of Phoenix and have been practicing for 9 years.

I work with young children, adolescents, young adults, and adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, grief and loss, behavioral challenges, and life changes. My communication style is calm, accommodating, and personable — I want my clients to feel comfortable speaking with me about anything and feeling safe, and I pride myself on my ability to listen without judgment.

Above all, I believe that you are the expert of your own story, and that you have many strengths that will help you overcome what's challenging you. It takes courage to take the first steps toward change, and I'm here to support and empower you in that journey.

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. You may be struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, parenting challenges, grief, depression, or experiences from the past that continue to affect your present. Perhaps you find yourself reacting in ways that don't make sense, feeling disconnected from others, or carrying burdens that have followed you for years.

I believe that symptoms often make sense when we understand the story behind them.

For nearly 20 years, I have worked as a psychotherapist helping children, adolescents, adults, and families heal, strengthen relationships, and develop a deeper understanding of themselves. My experience includes working in private practice, schools, pediatric healthcare settings, and community mental health programs. I also taught graduate students in counseling and family therapy programs, helping train the next generation of therapists.

What patterns keep repeating in your life, even when part of you wants something different? I work with infants, children, adolescents, adults, and seniors, with a particular focus on experiences that are hard to put into words: the quiet accumulation of feeling disconnected or unseen, questions around adoption and family origins, infertility, the emotional weight of becoming a parent, and the grief that comes when life takes an unexpected shape. A lot of what brings people to therapy is not a single event. It builds. I trained at UCLA and bring both clinical depth and genuine warmth to this work.

I work with adults and seniors navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, past hurts, and life transitions that can feel overwhelming to carry alone. Many of my clients come in feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure how to move forward. My goal is to offer a supportive, welcoming space where you feel heard and understood as we work toward greater peace, confidence, and connection in your life.