Transform Your Life For The Better
Therapy for individuals, couples,
and families who want to heal.
In-Person in San Diego and Online
throughout California
*Annette is tired of feeling guilty for thinking of herself before others, not wanting to go along with what is expected of her, and saying no or maybe yes when she needs to set boundaries. As a first gen, she is painfully aware of all that her parents sacrificed so she can have all the opportunities she has in her life. Annette has tried to explain to her family what she wants and needs, but nothing works. She feels unseen by her loved ones and is blamed for not valuing her roots.
*Madeline is nine years old and struggles with anxiety when she has to go to bed at night. Madeline’s mom, Jennifer, and her partner have tried everything they can think of, but nothing seems to help Madeline. Jennifer’s family tells her that Madeline is just manipulating her and she needs to be tough. She doesn’t want to be like her parents were when she was growing up. Jennifer has taught Madeline to use her words and share her feelings, but she is unsure what to do next.
*Alex knows that her dreams mean something. She’s been wondering how to listen to that guiding part of herself. A part that wants to communicate with her during the night through her dreams. She has tried looking for the answers in dream books, the Internet, and talking to her friends and family. Nothing feels right, as the things she finds feel superficial and vague. Alex doesn’t know who to turn to help her understand this experience.
*Erick and *Jackie met in college and have been married for over seven years. They fell in love because they both liked and appreciated how different and similar they were at the same time. But sometimes, it’s like they speak different languages regarding certain things. They’ve tried talking about their needs, and they fight every time they talk. They have read books to understand their differences, and nothing helps. Friends and family always tell them to try harder and that relationships are just difficult.
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Annette found value in her unique cultural experience of belonging to two places. We worked through the challenges that arose and helped her find what worked for her. She learned to trust her lived experience, became confident in knowing where she belonged, and let go of the perfectionism ruling her life. Annette communicated with her family better and expressed how she wants them to be happy but also make the right decisions for her life.
Madeline revealed she was scared something bad would happen to her parents after her grandmother died. We helped her create a memory box where she connected with her grandmother and could place some of her ‘worry notes’ when she needed to let her worries go away. In our playroom, using toys, art, and games, Madeline can process her fears and connect to her grandmother, whom she misses a lot. She also spent the night at a friend’s house for the first time and had a wonderful time.
Alex came into our first session with a dream which included a hummingbird. Together, we discovered her associations with this mystical little bird. We later included cultural and collective images and ideas through stories and myth, eventually guiding us to the archetypal realm. Little by little, this little hummingbird became a guiding image for Alex, like those that one gets on a vision quest.
Erick and Jackie attended couples therapy and have learned to listen to each other by making room for the uniqueness and differences in their experiences. Intimacy is difficult to achieve and is the core value of a romantic relationship. Erick and Jackie committed to understanding each other’s needs and how to diffuse disagreements or miscommunications before they escalated into arguments. This has made them feel closer to each other more meaningfully.
There’s another way.
Like many people, you may have been taught that going to therapy means you’re crazy.
But often, that part of you that seems “crazy” is actually a healthy response,
telling us that something is wrong.
It’s time to embrace that craziness!
Hi, and welcome to Alba Center.
We’re committed to helping you work through generational trauma while embracing the wonderful aspects of our culture.
Therapy is about being understood, and our cultural background is the ground from which we came.
Working with someone who understands the children of the chancla creates a place where you will feel at home so you can learn healthier ways to relate to yourself and others.
It’s time to take back control of your life.
Our Services
Don’t waste another moment struggling alone.
Lasting positive change is possible. Let’s get a clear idea of the life you want to have.
Call us now, and let’s get started today! You’re worth it.
*Names and stories are composite narratives and do not reflect actual clients.