Today we’d like to introduce you to Alina Gonzalez.
Hi Alina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Since I was in high school, I’ve always known that I wanted to be a counselor. I was deeply curious about relationships and family dynamics and would often wonder about what made some healthier and more resilient than others. I was always trying to understand the patterns in observed in friendships, family systems, and romantic partnerships. That interest deepened even more in college when I took a marriage and family course during my sophomore year. I resonated so much with the role of a marriage and family therapist and knew that was the path I wanted to pursue. From there, I went on to complete my graduate program in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at Cal State Northridge.
Over the past 7 years, I’ve had the privilege of working with children, families, and adults, and helping them navigate a wide range of challenges and life stressors in both community mental health and private practice settings. Earlier this year, I took a major step and opened my own private practice, AG Holistic Therapy. It’s been both an amazing and challenging journey, but I’m incredibly grateful to be doing work I love while creating a safe and supportive environment for the therapy clients I work with.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges I faced early on in my career was imposter syndrome. As a new therapist, I put a lot of pressure on myself to have all the answers, which created unrealistic expectations and lead to a loud inner critic voice that often focused on my mistakes or perceived shortcomings. That voice made the imposter syndrome even more intense. Over time, and with the support of my colleagues, supervisors, and my own experience in therapy, I began to develop more self-compassion. I realized that being an effective therapist isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up authentically, being present, and creating a safe, supportive space for clients to explore their own growth. Now, I’m much more accepting of not knowing everything. In fact, I’ve found that modeling that kind of self-acceptance and vulnerability helps my clients feel more empowered. It’s a reminder that we don’t need to be perfect or overly critical of ourselves to create meaningful, positive change in our lives.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 7 years of experience, and the founder of AG Holistic Therapy. I primarily work with adults navigating a variety of concerns including anxiety, trauma, relationship/family issues, grief, self-esteem issues, life transitions, pre/post-partum anxiety, and parenting issues. In addition to my work with adults, I also have specialized training in the treatment of young children, specifically ages 0–5. I use evidence-based modalities like Child-Parent Psychotherapy, play-based therapy, and Infant Massage to address issues such as trauma exposure, attachment and bonding, parenting/co-parenting difficulties, developmental delays, and behavioral concerns. This early intervention work is something I’m particularly passionate about, since I get to work closely with parents and building their confidence to support their child’s emotional and relational wellbeing throughout their life.
My therapeutic approach is psychodynamic, trauma-informed, attachment-focused, collaborative, reflective, and strength-based. I truly believe therapy should be tailored to meet each client’s unique needs, so I integrate a variety of strategies such as mindfulness, grounding techniques, distress tolerance skills, and cognitive reframing skills. I always strive to create a safe space for my clients as we explore the things that bring them into therapy with curiosity and compassion. My goal is to support clients in reconnecting with themselves, building resilience, and moving toward lasting emotional wellness. I know how hard it can be to seek help, and I feel honored when I get the opportunity to walk alongside individuals and families as they explore their inner worlds, break old patterns, and create meaningful change.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I have a Psychology Today profile where potential clients contact me via email to schedule a free 15min consultation call. Currently, I offer HIPAA compliant Telehealth therapy and I am credentialed with multiple insurance companies through Headway to make therapy more accessible.
Pricing:
- $185 for Individual therapy
- $225 for Family therapy
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Alina Gonzalez
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