CURRENTLY ZOOM-ONLY. PRACTICING IN THE LOS ANGELES AREA. Sometimes life gets complicated. We all want a life of joy and abundance, free from worry, depression and anxiety, without a need to escape reality or avoid parts of our life. Let's talk about how we can together find the answers you seek and help to move you to the next phase of your life!

Hi, my name is Vanessa Alba and I am and Marriage and family Therapist . I provide psychotherapy to adults, adolescents, children, family, and couples . I truly love to help each individual achieve their goals using their own strengths at their own pace. I love what I do and love to see my clients achieve personal growth

When things become hard, confusing, or emotionally painful, we can all use some help. I offer that for you and your family. I provide psychotherapy for individuals that have experienced trauma or may benefit from guidance in understanding their feelings, emotions and how they affect their lives. I also provide assistance during life transitions such as breakups, divorce, professional development, pre-marital counseling, and when encountering an overall need to make significant life changes.

SPIRITUALLY-INCLINED THERAPIST ADDS ANOTHER DIMENSION OF HEALING. Clients refer to me as "The Wound Detector," because of my intuitive ability of getting to their core issues & rapidly turning those challenges around. Deep-seated conscious & unconscious issues are the origin of anxiety, depression, financial, career, relationship & health challenges. Oftentimes, clients feel much lighter after one session. Guiding you to your emotional freedom & empowerment is my goal for you. Our work is done in a safe & gentle environment, allowing you to open yourself to your gifts & magnificence that lie underneath your pain.

Everybody has problems, right? Why go to a therapist? Well, you probably don't realize that unsolved problems in life affect your earnings, personal relationships, and even your health. In fact, the smallest stressors in life tend to have the biggest impact. I will address your issues in a thoughtful and empathic manner.I am a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who has extensive experience providing individual and couples psychotherapy. I specialize in working with adults and interracial, interfaith and LGBT couples.

You are trying to adjust to the "new normal." Covid-19 quarantine has taken it's toll on your access to friends, family, lovers and community. The winds are starting to shift, but you're wondering what's now safe. Not just safe virally, but following this year of physical isolation, you may have reconsidered your social and emotional values. What is it that you now seek? What do you want from family, friends and intimate partners? I invite you to book a session to launch your exploration of these core questions. Have you developed the fortitude to sustain yourself independently or are you ready for deeper more honest bonding?

My ideal client is a person who is longing to find purpose and meaning in their life and who look beyond mere symptom removal to a sense of who they are, what information the symptom may offer them, and how to live a more fulfilling life, be it as an individual, couple or member of a family. In short, a person who is interested in exploring the depths of their psyche and soul and is not just looking for advice or a quick fix; someone who understands that there is profound meaning in their suffering.

"The function of a psychotherapist is to become obsolete as soon as possible." That quote is from my own psychotherapist and mentor, years ago, and it's the model and motto of my practice. There are, of course, exceptions, including couples or individuals who return for a "tune up" once in a while and others who call me in as co-strategist when some new turbulence hits. Another exception is my work with schizophrenic spectrum patients, who need a long-term connection with consensus reality from wherever they happen to be stuck "on the other side of the mirror".

The clients which I feel very adept at working with effectively could be presenting any number of issues that haunt couples, children, adolescents, and individuals. These concern developmental, emotional, relational, and social topics.

Are you having the same arguments, constant barriers, or moods that keep you from functioning at your best. Have you have tried many ways to overcome and resolve them and they still exist and return. I help individuals and couples face, and work through difficult issues. I can offer practical solutions, ways to create secure loving relationships, and guide you in effective directions. My office is professional yet relaxed and casual. Come in and experience my straight forward, mindful, and authentic approach.

I do individual and couples therapy dealing with: addictions; defensive communication; sexuality; aggression; parenting, and money. *I find that most couples during arguments or stressful times, communicate poorly--are reactive and quick to blame. I really value helping the individuals develop themselves and their skills as a way out of this cycle, and towards a loving relationship. *In individual therapy we may deal with loneliness, anxiety, addictive patterns/substances or depression. We work together to set personal goals and on staying accountable. I focus on their maladaptive thoughts/feelings that can interfere with them retaking charge of their life.

I am an eclectic therapist, meaning I do not subscribe to any one therapeutic modality as I believe the therapeutic process is fluid and as a clinician, I must be the same. I help you manage depression, anxiety, ADHD, adjustment disorder, grief/loss, PTSD, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, children and adolescents navigating the difficulties of adjusting to parent's divorcing and behavioral issues such as oppositional defiance and conduct issues. In an effort to meet my clients where they are, I will take the time needed to examine, with you, the core issues surrounding the problem and assist in developing solutions from that ground work.

I am licensed as a Clinical Psychologist and as a Marriage and Family Therapist. I am also certified in EMDR. I have many years of experience providing individual, group, and family therapy in different settings. This education, training, and experience has provided the foundation for my clinical work: deep understanding of the problem and underlying issues, accurate assessment, and effective treatment planning using evidence-based treatment practices. Therefore, in my practice, you will experience commitment, caring, and confidence.

My goal in the work I do with children, adolescents, individual and families is to improve family dynamics, address interfering issues, and aim to improve your relationship with yourself and/or achieve family cohesion. By utilizing a number of conventional and collaborative approaches, treatment is individually tailored to fit the needs of each individual client and family. I aim to provide a comfortable and supportive atmosphere where clients can openly confront issues, learn to better manage emotions, and engage in working toward their unique goals.

Fundamentally, people need to feel "of use" and this usefulness must be meaningful. I work with my clients to find ways to connect with the world around them and to express their creative productive selves in concert with this foundational premise. The work promotes healthy outlooks on the environment and healthy perspective of oneself. All relationships are addressed, including those with significant others, social environment, work/career/productivity, and oneself. All changes occur through experiencing oneself and the environment in healthy ways.

The courageous step of embarking on an experience of bettering one’s life is not easily done. I truly am honored to be a part of that process. In a collaborative approach I help guide Clients to work through the many reasons they arrive to therapy. Clients seem to have a very clear goal of bettering their lives, and I strive to make this happen by helping clients free themselves to use tools learned years into the future. I work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families with varying presenting issues, including anxiety, depression, family of origin issues, marginalized oppression, relationship issues and addiction.

It’s already hard enough to sit in feelings of uncertainty, hurt, or frustration. It’s even more difficult to accept vulnerability and reach out for support when we tend to fear judgement. Therapy has been portrayed as a stigma towards mental illness, but there’s more to the therapeutic process than just “treating an illness”. I am here to process emotions and thoughts with you while giving you alternative perspectives to reflect on. Processing released emotions allow relief which then provides me the opportunity to guide my clients in adopting and utilizing new tools and skills towards recovery. 

Mental health treatment is still being stigmatized. As a clinician, I see mental health treatment as a wonderful opportunity to grow, reach and actualize one's potential to live the most effective and enjoyable life. I believe we can find that path with you. When I am unable to help you find that path, which is quite possible, I will do my to best to help you find the mental health professional that can be a better fit for you.