welcome to my practice

Hi, I’m Catherine Alvarado, LMFT

Meet Catherine Alvarado, LMFT || Catherine Alvarado, LMFT

EMDR International Association, EMDR Certified Therapist badge.

call me cat

About me.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and EMDR-Certified practitioner, I specialize in holistic healing and compassionate care. I am the Co-Owner of Eunoia Wellness Studio, where my practice is based in Redondo Beach, CA, and proudly serves clients across California.

- B.A., Psychology – Loyola Marymount University, CA
- M.S., Counseling Psychology – Mount Saint Mary’s University, CA
  - Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) - CA License #134744
- BBS Approved Supervisor - Board of Behavioral Sciences
- EMDR Certified Therapist – EMDR International Association
- Consultant-in-Training – EMDR International Association
- Certified Reiki Master – Maggie Gold Inner Wellness
- Certified Skylight Therapist – Skylight Psychedelics
- Clinical Supervision: Foundations - Therapist Development Center
- Flash Technique Certification – The Flash Technique (FT)
- Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Training – Skylight Psychedelics
- EMDR Basic Training - Institute for Creative Mindfulness
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
- EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
- Co-Owner & Founder of Eunoia Wellness Studio, Redondo Beach, CA
- BBS Approved Clinical Supervisor, Board of Behavioral Sciences
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Private Practice, Redondo Beach, CA (formerly in Hermosa Beach, CA)
- Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, completed supervision under Dr. Kelly Mothner, Hermosa Beach, CA
- Associate Marriage & Family Therapist, Soultenders, Arcadia, CA
- Marriage & Family Therapist Trainee, The Ness Counseling Center, Los Angeles, CA
- Graduate Intern, Career Services & Internships, Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles, CA
- Student Activities Assistant, Office of Student Activities, Otis College of Art and Design
- Operations Manager, Student Health and Wellness Center, Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA
- Behavioral Health Intern, Project Touch Teen & Family Counseling, Hermosa Beach, CA

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You’re in the right place.

Here to help you reconnect with yourself, discover your inner truth, and express yourself authentically.

After facing personal struggles with anxiety, panic, and emotional distress, I came to understand that true healing requires going deeper than simply analyzing the problem. By embracing the power of bottom-up approaches—holistic, somatic-focused therapies—we open the door to a more profound healing process, allowing us to rebuild a safe and secure relationship with both the mind and body, fostering lasting transformation from the inside out.

My Style

Methods & Modalities

Holistic EMDR Therapy focuses on metabolizing residual distress in all the ways it manifests—mentally, emotionally, and physically. By taking a holistic approach, this method engages the mind, emotions, and body, addressing multiple channels of experience to foster deeper healing.

The goal extends beyond understanding the root causes of distress to finding peace that is both felt and embodied. This approach is ideal for those who possess a high level of awareness and insight yet still struggle to find true resolution or rest.

Integrated therapeutic modalities include:

Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR)
Attachment Based Therapy
Solution Focused Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Somatic Experiencing (SE)
Solution-Focused Therapy
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
The Flash Technique (FT)
Art Therapy
Sound Healing
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

These integrative techniques are customized to each individual’s needs, allowing for a comprehensive and multi-dimensional healing process.

Specialties

Trauma & Stressor Related Disorders

Familiar with a range of conditions that arise after experiencing distressing or traumatic events. This includes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Acute, Chronic, Complex PTSD), Acute Stress Disorder, and Adjustment Disorders. Therapy aims to process traumatic memories, reduce distress, and promote resilience.

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Specific Phobias

Phobia work combines EMDR and holistic methods to reduce anxiety and build confidence in situations that trigger intense fear. Special focus is on phobias related to food & eating process, such as phagophobia (fear of swallowing), pseudodysphagia (fear of choking), emetophobia (fear of vomiting), cibophobia (fear of food), deipnophobia (fear of dining), or agoraphobia (fear of leaving home, etc).

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Anxiety Disorders

Supports individuals facing Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Specific Phobias. Treatment is tailored to reduce distress, build coping strategies, and restore calm. Therapy focuses on helping you reclaim a sense of control and balance in your daily life.

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Chronic Illness & Somatic Complaints

Focuses on conditions like Illness Anxiety, Gastrointestinal-specific Anxiety, and Somatic Hypersensitivity. Common symptoms include avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, and sensory processing issues. Therapy explores underlying fears and develops strategies to reduce worry and manage physical symptoms.

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Testimonials

"Catherine is one of my go-to therapists to refer to in the South Bay. She is an incredibly skilled, empathic and warm clinician who genuinely cares about each and every one of her clients. I especially love how she integrates the mind body approach into her work. She is definitely the type of therapist I would send my friends and family to knowing that they would feel really comfortable and safe in the environment that Catherine creates for all of her clients. If you are considering therapy and looking for a really solid therapist, Catherine would be the person to call!"

– KELLY MOTHNER, PHD –
“Cat is a very special therapist, she is able to help her teen and adult clients with a variety of mental health issues. I have referred people to her for EMDR and they have found it incredibly helpful and healing. You would be lucky to have Cat as your therapist!”

— STEVE WALKER, APCC, PPS —
“Catherine is a skilled therapist who cares deeply about the work she does with her clients. She is warm and thoughtful, and provides a space for clients to learn about themselves, challenge themselves, and grow in ways that will help them achieve their goals. I highly recommend reaching out to her if you are looking to start therapy!”

— VICTORIA SMITH, LCSW —
“Cat is a very skilled and thoughtful therapist. Her demeanor is both warm and inviting, and she is deeply committed to her clients. She has extensive experience and training that allows her to give insightful guidance. I highly recommend her services to anyone looking for help with their mental health.”

— JULIE FANELLI, MSW, ASW —
"Catherine is a great therapist who is always striving to learn more so she can help her clients even better. She’s done many trainings and continues to get certified in other modalities. I often refer people to her as I know she is kind, caring, and focuses on a holistic approach. If you’re looking for a therapist, I definitely recommend Catherine!"

– SABRINA FISH, LMFT –
"I highly recommend Cat as a therapist! She is a natural healer and a true expert when it comes to EMDR."

– TAYLOR ADDISON, LMFT –
"I can't say enough good things about Cat. She is not only highly skilled and knowledgeable in her field, but she also possesses a genuine compassion and sweetness that make her stand out. From the very first session, I felt completely at ease and understood. Cat creates a warm and welcoming environment where I feel safe to express my thoughts and emotions without any judgment. Cat listens attentively and provides insightful feedback that has been key in my personal growth. Her genuine care and dedication go above and beyond, making me feel truly valued and supported. If you're looking for a therapist who is both professional and deeply caring, I highly recommend Cat. She has made a profound difference in my life."

– PALOMA WILLIAMS, CERTIFIED EATING DISORDER COACH –
"Catherine is a profoundly insightful & empathic therapist. She is personable and incredibly knowledgeable. Any client of hers is in very good hands. Highly recommend!"

– ABBY HACOHEN, PSYD -
"I recently had a wonderful therapy experience with Cat. She is incredibly empathetic and understanding, which made it easy to open up and discuss my feelings. Cat's approach is both professional and warm, creating a safe and comfortable environment for our sessions. Her insightful questions and thoughtful feedback helped me gain new perspectives on my challenges and develop practical strategies for managing them. Overall, working with Cat has been immensely beneficial for my mental health, and I highly recommend her to anyone seeking effective and compassionate therapy."

- KA -
"Cannot speak highly enough about my experience with Cat. From our first session, I felt welcomed and understood. Her approach is both compassionate and insightful, and helped me gain a deeper understanding of myself while learning tools I could actually use to manage my anxiety. She's truly committed to her clients' individual needs and goals. Highly recommend!"

- AV -

Blog

Jul 19, 2024

Ch. 16 Overcoming the Fear of Choking: Pseudodysphagia

Jul 19, 2024

The fear of choking, also known as pseudodysphagia, is an intense and often debilitating phobia. Individuals struggling with this fear may experience significant anxiety when faced with the thought of choking on food, drinks, or even their own saliva. This phobia can lead to avoidance behaviors, impacting daily life and well-being. Here, we’ll explore what pseudodysphagia is, its causes, and the most effective treatment options for overcoming this fear.