Dr. Michelle Alvarez (ella/she)

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Accepting Clients

I've known that I wanted to be a psychologist since I was in the third grade. Still do.

Clinical Psychologist in Online (telehealth) and in-person therapy, MD

About My Clients

I work with "normal" people struggling with: • Feeling stressed, anxious, depressed, moody, angry • Burnout/ overwhelm (“adulting”/ “the grind”/ “the rat race”) • Parenting/ balancing career & family • Conflict with parents/ family (aka, mommy/daddy or childhood issues) • People-pleasing • Perfectionism & procrastination • ADHD • Transitions (move, college, divorce, menopause) • PTSD/trauma (sexual, combat, relationship) • The state of the country/ world • Racial trauma & identity • Immigration

My Background and Approach

I have 20+ years of experience & a diverse range of professional experiences: a maximum security prison, the VA, large private hospitals, small clinics, a center for abused children, nursing homes for the elderly, private practice, & even backstage in theatre productions with actors in character, i.e., conducting fake therapy with make-believe characters. I lean toward existential psychology & Internal Family Systems, both non-pathologizing & empowering forms of therapy. Over time I was inspired to develop a new & unique modality: TALKyoga©, an integration of proven clinical & somatic methods with research-based meditative & movement techniques, all within my lifespan psychology framework. My clients of all ages & I use this system to set & achieve mental, emotional, spiritual & physical resolutions, with remarkable results, for all different expressions of the human condition, such as: • Trauma & PTSD • Anxiety & stress • Mood & depression • Racial & social identity & intersections

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

Because I'm fervent about racial, social, and economic equity, I aim to be available to everyone (including the un- or underinsured), and I offer the great majority of my services for a (very) low fee or fully pro-bono. If you're able to pay my full fee, you support my ability to provide these reduced-fee slots, and you can feel good knowing that you are contributing to another person's ability to access the same quality mental health services that you deem important for yourself. Think of me as the Toms shoes of therapists. In addition to clinical practice, I play my small part in social activism by providing anti-racism trainings, workshops, interviews, podcasts, and conferences, as well as fundraising for therapy for members of made-marginalized communities, such as People of Color, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, etc. My most popular offerings: my Social Justice Yoga© at Patreon and my online course Dear White Therapists –which has been described as moving, eye-opening, and galvanizing.

I offer online counseling in the following states:

At A Glance

  • Experience: 22 years of practice
  • Languages: English, Español
  • Rate: $40 - 403/session

Info

828-82-PSYCH (828-827-7924) Email Dr. Michelle
Santosha Psychotherapy & TALKyoga©:
Online (telehealth) and in-person therapy, MD 20910
• IN-PERSON THERAPY for people in Maryland/D.C./DMV area. (*license in progress)
• ONLINE THERAPY for people in New York, North Carolina, or any country outside the US.
• PERSONAL COACHING for people from other states (not NY, NC, or MD).

Reach out to Dr. Michelle