Hi, I'm Marili!
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor based in California. I believe true healing happens in the body, not just the mind. As a somatic psychotherapist, I use approaches like EMDR and Brainspotting to help clients heal trauma, make sense of how larger systems have shaped them, and reconnect with who they really are.
As an immigrant, much of who I am has been shaped by the work of belonging to two worlds without fitting neatly into either. I know what it means to want to belong somewhere that doesn't always make space for you and to hold pride in where you come from anyway. That lived experience is the root of my curiosity about people, and it shapes how I sit with clients navigating their own questions of identity, belonging, and worth.
My work is fully virtual and centers on what you need. Alongside the somatic approaches, much of what I do draws on attachment theory and parts work, understanding how your earliest relationships and the protective "parts" of you shape the patterns you live in now. Depending on what serves you, I might teach, lean on your existing strengths, or weave in mindfulness, CBT, or Gottman methods for couples. I believe the approach should fit you, not the other way around.
I specialize in trauma and PTSD, and I work with people facing anxiety, emotional overwhelm, issues of self-worth, and the relationship patterns that leave people feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or stuck in the same conflicts. Whatever you're carrying, my aim is to give you a space that's safe and without judgment.
Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy cooking and baking, working my way through different cuisines, baking sourdough and pan dulce, or deep in a good book or thriller audiobook. I'm a lifelong learner at heart; I'm always picking up something new. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I actually know, and I find a lot of joy and humility in that.
Finding the right therapist is hard. I'll meet you where you are, and gently challenge you toward where you want to go. If you're ready to begin, or even just have questions, reach out through my contact page.
Hi, I'm Julia!
I'm an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist offering telehealth services in the state of California, working under the supervision of Marili Arellano Alvarez, LMFT. I'm passionate about helping teens, adults, couples, and mothers navigate anxiety, stress, self-doubt, and the big emotions that come with life's transitions.
For as long as I can remember, I've been the person who cared deeply about the people around me, naturally inquisitive about others' lives and drawn to nurturing and supporting them. That instinct is what led me to this work. I offer a warm, non-judgmental space where you can feel safe, seen, and supported. My style is warm yet direct — I'll validate where you are while gently helping you move forward, and I'm not afraid to bring a little humor into the room when it helps!
I feel especially called to work with couples navigating relational issues and with mothers who feel overwhelmed by the demands of motherhood. With over seven years of experience supporting children and families, I have a deep appreciation for how much weight parents and mothers carry and how much can shift when they feel truly supported. I'm also drawn to identity development, social conflict, and the unique pressures facing teens.
I'm trained in EMDR and draw from CBT, DBT, IFS, and EFT to tailor our work to what you need. A bit about what that can look like: EMDR helps you reprocess painful experiences and break free from the negative beliefs that trauma leaves behind — so you can live as who you really are, rather than the version trauma shaped you into. CBT helps you examine and shift the thought and behavior patterns that keep you stuck in cycles of negativity. IFS helps you understand the different "parts" of yourself and why they show up, while reconnecting you to the calm, clarity, and confidence that live at your core.
For couples, I offer Premarital and Foundational Couples Counseling using the evidence-based Prepare/Enrich program, helping partners build strong communication and conflict-resolution skills from the very start.
I'm committed to helping you make meaningful, lasting change. If my approach feels like a fit for what you're looking for, I'd love to hear from you — please reach out through our contact page or email me directly at julia@mariliarellano.com.