Maritza Alvarez-Pena, LMFT

Bilingual LMFT supporting relationships and healing

Bilingual English and Spanish
Trauma and grief care
Couples and family therapy

About Maritza Alvarez-Pena

Maritza Alvarez-Pena is a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with more than two decades of clinical experience. She holds a master's degree in Psychology Counseling and brings a calm, practical approach to supporting individuals, couples, families, and groups as they navigate life challenges and relationship concerns.

Her work focuses on common struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and family or interpersonal conflicts. Maritza combines evidence-informed strategies with a compassionate, person-centered stance to help clients explore patterns, develop new coping skills, and pursue greater well-being. She works with a wide range of issues related to attachment, parenting, blended families, chronic illness, caregiving stress, and communication or control difficulties.

Maritza emphasizes collaboration and respect for each person’s goals, recognizing that taking the first step toward change often requires courage. She offers steady guidance and practical tools to help clients make meaningful, sustainable progress toward a more satisfying and balanced life.

Areas of Expertise

Primary Focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse GriefParenting issuesDepression

Additional Focus Areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic Approach

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Existential Therapy Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

How much experience does Maritza Alvarez-Pena have?

Maritza Alvarez-Pena has 23 years of professional experience.

Is Maritza Alvarez-Pena a licensed therapist?

Yes. She is an LMFT - Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. License details: CA LMFT 138711.

In which languages does Maritza Alvarez-Pena provide therapy?

She provides therapy in English and Spanish.

Where is Maritza Alvarez-Pena located?

She is located in California.

How can I work with Maritza Alvarez-Pena as my therapist?

You can work with Maritza Alvarez-Pena through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Does Maritza Alvarez-Pena work with international clients?

Maritza Alvarez-Pena does not currently work with international clients.

How much does therapy with Maritza Alvarez-Pena cost?

The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.

How can I get started with therapy?

Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care and Healing

Maritza employs Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients clarify their values and build psychological flexibility - skills that can reduce avoidance and support meaningful action despite difficult thoughts or feelings. Attachment-Based Therapy is used to explore relational patterns and early bonds, helping clients improve closeness, trust, and emotional regulation within partnerships and families. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers structured tools to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which is often effective for anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Maritza works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time as progress unfolds.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging offer flexible ways to receive consistent care without travel. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, maintain continuity during life transitions, and access support from home or work when needed.

Ready to start therapy with Maritza Alvarez-Pena?

Take the first step toward a better you.

Get Started