About Alessandra

Not sure where to begin? Let’s take the first step together

You may have spent a long time pushing through anxiety, exhaustion, or experiences from the past while trying to keep up with everything expected of you. Perhaps your mind rarely slows down, you question yourself when something goes wrong, or you keep saying you’re fine because explaining everything underneath that answer feels overwhelming.

You know something needs to change, but you may not know where to begin. You might understand some of the reasons you feel this way and still find yourself caught in the same reactions, relationship patterns, or self-doubt.

Therapy gives you a space to slow things down and understand what has been affecting you without expecting you to explain everything perfectly. I’ll meet you with curiosity rather than judgment, ask questions that help us look beneath the surface, and give you time to share in your own way. We will move at a pace that feels manageable while working toward changes you can feel in your everyday life.

Hi, I’m Alessandra

I was drawn to becoming a therapist through my love of psychology and my curiosity about people’s stories. I have always been interested in how our experiences shape the way we see ourselves, relate to others, and move through the world. What continues to matter most to me is helping people understand patterns that once made sense but may no longer be serving them.

I know personally how exhausting it can be to navigate the medical world, especially when one appointment leads to the next doctor, and then the next. That experience has deepened my appreciation for how important it is to feel believed, respected, and treated as a whole person.

Outside of therapy, my life includes dogs, fish, a gecko, and usually a creative project or two. I enjoy traveling when I can as I get a chance to learn, experience different perspectives, and take in the beauty of a new place. I also value humor and believe there can be room for it in therapy, even when we are doing meaningful and difficult work.

What it’s like to work together

My approach is collaborative and guided toward your goals. I’ll ask questions, offer observations, and follow up on things you planned to try between sessions. If something got in the way, we can look at the barrier together rather than treating it as a failure. Even the effort itself is important, even when things did not go as planned.

I may also gently point out patterns of avoidance when I notice them. Avoidance often develops for a good reason, so we will take time to understand how it has protected you before working toward something different. How direct I am depends on you and the relationship we have built. Sometimes I will tread lightly, and sometimes my face may give away what I am thinking before I say it.

At the beginning of each session, I’ll ask whether there is something specific you want to talk about that day. If there is, we will make room for it. If not, we can return to the goals we have been working toward, continue with EMDR, or practice skills that help you prepare for deeper work.

There will be times when something happening in the present needs our attention. We can respond to what life is asking of you while also staying aware of how the past may be shaping what is happening now. If we have moved away from deeper work for a while, I will check in about whether you feel ready to return to it. We will also revisit your goals over time so that our work stays connected to what you want from therapy.

How I approach therapy

EMDR is the foundation of my work and often shapes how I understand what is happening in the present. A reaction that feels confusing or out of proportion today may make more sense when we understand the experiences, beliefs, and patterns connected to it. I tend to use this perspective even when we are not actively processing a specific memory.

If we do decide to begin EMDR processing, that decision is made together. We will take time to build trust, understand how you respond to stress, and develop resources that help you feel more grounded. Readiness is not a test you either pass or fail. Sometimes deeper material emerges and shows us that we need to slow down, strengthen support, or prepare in a different way before continuing. You also do not have to describe every detail of an experience for EMDR to be effective.

I incorporate mindfulness to help you slow down, feel more grounded, and notice thoughts, emotions, and body responses as they are happening. I also draw from CBT skills when it is useful to examine a thought, look at the evidence for and against it, or practice responding in a different way. I use these approaches flexibly rather than expecting you to fit into a rigid formula.

Experience and training

I bring more than 11 years of experience across community mental health, school-based services, youth shelter programs, and private practice. I spent eight years supporting adults living with serious and persistent mental health conditions, and I have also worked with children, adolescents, and foster youth navigating emotional, family, and life challenges. These experiences taught me that meaningful therapy needs to account for the whole person, not simply a diagnosis or set of symptoms.

In private practice, my work has focused on helping adults navigate trauma, anxiety, self-doubt, relationship patterns, chronic illness, and experiences that continue to affect how they feel and respond today. I am an EMDRIA Certified Therapist™ and have completed additional training in FND-informed psychotherapy through the Functional Neurological Disorder Society. I continue pursuing education that strengthens the care I provide as the field evolves.

  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, California, LMFT #123001

  • EMDRIA Certified Therapist™

  • Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Antioch University Santa Barbara, 2016

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2012

Credentials

What to know before getting started

Standard Therapy

Standard therapy sessions are approximately 55 minutes. The private-pay rate is $185 per session.

EMDR Intensives

EMDR intensives provide three to four hours of focused therapy. We’ll discuss the length and frequency that fit your needs. Intensives are private pay at $185 per hour, and insurance cannot be used for any portion of the session.

Insurance

I accept select Aetna and Providence plans, as well as fee-for-service Medi-Cal, sometimes called straight Medi-Cal. Benefits and eligibility will be verified before your first session.

Where we can meet

Virtual therapy is available throughout California. Limited in-person appointments are offered in Santa Barbara, on Fridays and Saturdays. Current availability may vary.