Marie E. Alvarez, M.S., LMHC

ABOUT ME

Marie strives to build a warm and empowering therapeutic alliance with her clients. Therapy is approached as a journey in which the therapist guides the client with:

• recognizing their inner strengths
• exploring and processing feelings in a safe space
• challenging unhealthy belief systems
• gaining new perspectives
• learning healthier coping skills.

She focuses on a person centered approach upon meeting with a new client. These qualities consist of:

• Authenticity
• Empathic understanding
• Nurturing
• Non-judgmental attitude
• Humor
• Accountability

One of her psychotherapy approaches she utilizes is Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR). She acquired her certification for EMDR basic training through the EMDR Institute in 2019. She is currently on track to becoming EMDR certified.

“EMDR is a trauma-focused intervention designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma.” (https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/) EMDR has also demonstrated effectiveness with treating anxiety, depression, phobias, attachment trauma, body image disturbance, and grief/loss.

Marie works with adults of all ages. Many of her clients present with childhood or attachment/developmental trauma at the root of their presenting problems. She uses EMDR to reprocess specific memories that have contributed over time towards their present day symptoms. Providing psychoeducation and creating a collaborative treatment plan is crucial to each client’s success. Clients need to feel empowered about their own inner capacity to create change for themselves.

Furthermore, Marie has started exploring a new interest to add to her expertise. She became a first time mom herself earlier in 2023 and wants to provide a space for new moms to navigate pregnancy, their birthing experience, postpartum mental health, and motherhood.

She also provides talk therapy to address:

• life transitions
• interpersonal challenges
• personal self-growth

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, listening to podcasts, going for walks, getting on her peloton bike, organizing social gatherings, and going on Target runs.

You can contact Marie at malvarez@miamicounseling.com to schedule an appointment or call the front office at 305-448-8325.

Marie E. Alvarez, LMHC
Miami Counseling & Resource Center
111 Majorca Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
305.448.8325 (ext. 7)