Community Highlights: Meet Alex Barragan of Stride Therapy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Barragan.

Hi Alex, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It honestly feels like I have lived a few different lives. I spent many years in New York City working in the corporate fashion world. While I am grateful and privileged to have had those experiences there came a point when the work no longer felt meaningful to me.

Moving to Los Angeles gave me the space and sunshine to slow down and really rethink what I wanted. I found a psychology graduate program focused on serving Spanish-speaking communities and immediately knew it was the right fit (so much so that I stayed and am now part of the faculty). My own experience in New York, where I struggled to find a culturally competent therapist, deeply shaped that decision. I met with many therapists before I found one who understood me and created a space where I felt safe. I never gave up because I believed in the power of therapy, and those experiences stayed with me as I began my own training.

After graduating, I worked as a therapist at a high school, which was a major shift. I went from attending fashion shows and corporate meetings to a high school in the Valley, and unexpectedly, my background in fashion ended up helping me more than I ever imagined. Over the past few years, I have transitioned into building my private practice, where I work with gay men, adults navigating identity and relationship concerns, and clients who are first-generation or come from immigrant families. A lot of my clients have spent years feeling misunderstood in therapy. Offering a space where people can show up as they are, without performing or explaining themselves, is what keeps me doing this work.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I feel really fortunate to say that, overall, it has been a pretty smooth road. I was clear about what I wanted, and once I had that clarity, everything started to feel more enjoyable rather than stressful. That said, there were definitely learning curves along the way, but they never felt discouraging.

I did not fully realize it at the time, but working in the fashion industry prepared me more than I ever expected. It gave me an early education in people, in how pressure, identity, and environment shape the way we behave and show up in the world. You learn quickly how to read a room, navigate strong personalities, and stay grounded in high-intensity situations. I also joke that working in the fashion industry gives you plenty of early insight into who might benefit from therapy.

All of those experiences now help me connect with clients more naturally, recognize patterns beneath the surface, and show up with a calmer, steadier presence in the room. Looking back, both the journey that led me here and the work I do now feel deeply fulfilling.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My work is centered on creating a space where people can show up without having to perform, explain, or have things figured out. It is a place where they can finally let their guard down. My approach is collaborative and affirming, and I bring humor into the room when it helps things feel more human.

At the same time, I want clients to get something real out of therapy. I want people to do the work, reflect honestly, and walk away with insight, growth, and a deeper understanding of themselves. I meet clients where they are, but I am also intentional about helping them move forward in a way that feels meaningful.

What sets me apart is that my work is shaped as much by lived experience and cultural understanding as it is by training. I understand how identity, family expectations, and culture impact mental health, particularly for gay men and for people who are first-generation or come from immigrant families.

I am deeply committed to making therapy more accessible. I have made a conscious choice to work with health insurance, despite the fact that many therapists stay away from it because of how complicated and time-consuming it can be. Mental health care should not feel out of reach or reserved for a select few. What drives my work is helping reduce stigma and making therapy feel more approachable, especially within the Latino community. There is still a real lack of representation for gay men of color and a lot of inauthenticity in the therapy world. Being able to offer something that feels genuine, showing that therapy can actually work for people who have historically felt excluded from it, and seeing that impact firsthand is what keeps me motivated and proud of the work I do.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I think the most important quality has been my ability to be myself and to stay honest about what clients need in order to grow. I am not a robot, and therapy does not need to feel clinical or scripted to be effective. I also believe therapy is not just about hearing what feels good. My role is to be present, thoughtful, and honest, and at times that means reflecting things back that are necessary for growth, not just what someone wants to hear.

A big part of what has helped me is being honest about client fit. I am not the right therapist for everyone, and not every client is the right fit for me, and that is okay. I care much more about doing meaningful work with people I can truly support in creating change and reaching their goals than trying to be everything to everyone. That clarity I have found makes the work better for both the client and me.

I also believe that showing up authentically has allowed my clients to do the same. It creates space for people to want to do the work and to be honest with themselves, even when looking at yourself is not easy. This is especially true for those who come from backgrounds where mental health was not talked about or where societal shame has forced them to hide parts of who they are. Being able to create a space where it feels safe to unpack those layers and grow is what makes the work meaningful to me, and it is something I feel genuinely privileged to be trusted with.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stridetherapy.org and www.therapistalex.com
• Email: alex@stridetherapy.org