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Dr. Catherine Alvarez, Ph.D.

Therapist profile

Dr. Catherine Alvarez, Ph.D., LMHC

Florida

FL LMHC - stress and parenting focused

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About

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Attachment-based work

About Catherine

Dr. Catherine Alvarez, Ph.D., is a Florida licensed mental health counselor (FL LMHC) with 17 years of clinical experience. She focuses on common and persistent struggles adults face at home and work, including stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship strain, parenting concerns, grief, and coping with life changes.

Catherine writes plainly about having overcome a series of hard experiences herself. That lived experience informs how she approaches sessions. She talks with people about practical steps they can use day to day. Sessions aim to name patterns, try small changes, and track what helps.

Her clinical work draws on several evidence-based approaches. She uses acceptance and commitment ideas to clarify values and reduce avoidance. She applies cognitive behavioral strategies to shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Attachment-based thinking is part of how she looks at relationship patterns and intimacy concerns.

People come to her for a mix of problems ranging from sleep and eating issues to anger, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. She also lists additional interests such as abandonment, blended family issues, caregiver stress, chronic illness, body image, and communication problems. The range reflects a generalist practice focused on practical coping and clearer relationships.

Catherine invites people who want straightforward conversations and doable changes. She asks new clients to complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling a first session. International clients who speak English are supported by her practice.

How sessions work

How her approaches translate to online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying what matters to you and taking small steps in that direction. It helps with avoidance, anxiety, and managing change by linking actions to values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and uses concrete techniques to reduce unhelpful patterns. It often helps with anxiety, depression, sleep, and eating concerns. Attachment-Based Therapy examines how early and current relationship patterns shape expectations and reactions, which can be useful for intimacy issues and repeated relationship conflict.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit best for their goals, needs, and preferences. That may mean trying one approach first and adding other techniques over time.

The original profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - for example, shorter check-ins during a break, less travel time, or scheduling around school and work. Licensed professionals can adapt ACT, CBT, and attachment ideas to remote conversations so the focus stays on practical steps and clearer relationships.

Areas of focus

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesAnger managementDepression

Also works with

Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodImago Relationship TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

17+ years

Listed in

Florida

Languages

English

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with adults on stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, relationship strain, parenting challenges, grief, and related issues listed in her profile.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

She uses practical, conversational sessions that translate therapy approaches into everyday actions and small experiments to try between meetings.

How much experience does she have?

She has 17 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of adult concerns.

What credential and location are on record?

She is listed as FL LMHC and practices in Florida.

Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

The original profile does not specify session formats; please confirm current online session options before booking.

How is payment handled and what does it cost?

Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to get started?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.

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Dr. Catherine Alvarez, Ph.D.

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