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LMFT

Soraya Avalos, LMFT

  • Experience15 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Relationship, and Self esteem
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • LanguagesEnglish and Spanish
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About Soraya

Soraya Avalos is a California licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who supports people working through stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, depression, and major life transitions.

Background and approach

With 15 years of clinical experience, she draws on a range of evidence-informed methods to tailor care to each person’s needs and priorities. Her approach centers on respectful, sensitive, and compassionate engagement that helps clients explore motivations, strengthen coping skills, and rebuild confidence.

She often weaves together Internal Family Systems with practical techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, among other approaches, to create flexible treatment plans. Soraya emphasizes collaborative dialogue and individualization so interventions match a person’s goals and circumstances.

She aims to make the process of seeking change manageable, acknowledging that taking the first step requires courage and steady support.

Integrating approaches for change in online therapy

Internal Family Systems (IFS) invites clients to notice and relate to different parts of themselves with curiosity, aiming to reduce internal conflict and promote self-led clarity; it can be useful for people processing trauma, guilt, or persistent internal voices. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through practical exercises, which many find helpful for anxiety, depression, and stress management. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, supporting those facing intense emotions or relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Soraya collaborates with clients to determine which methods fit their goals, preferences, and life circumstances. She adapts techniques over time so therapy remains responsive to progress and changing needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Online therapy with Soraya uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and make scheduling easier for busy lives. These formats allow people to receive consistent care from California without traveling to an office, supporting continuity of work on coping skills, communication, mood, and life transitions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Soraya address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, depression, and coping with life changes, and also focuses on related areas such as attachment issues, caregiver stress, communication problems, and women's issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative, respectful, and compassionate, with an emphasis on tailoring dialogue and treatment plans to each person’s unique needs and goals.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 15 years of professional experience providing psychotherapy and has worked with a range of mood and stress-related concerns.
What credentials and region does she practice in?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, CA LMFT 86910, and practices in California.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish for people located in California.
What session formats are available?
She accepts video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as formats for therapy.
How are costs and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are needed to begin working together?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist’s availability.

Areas of expertise

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDivorce and separationGuilt and shameImpulsivityLife purposeMood disordersPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English, Spanish