Alexa Barba

AMFT 159107 | Supervised by Kelly McAnelly, LCSW 120845

Verified licensed therapist by Psychology Today

Do you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, stress, difficult relationships, or life transitions that feel hard to navigate alone? I strive to create a warm, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard, understood, and empowered throughout your healing journey. I work collaboratively with children, teens, and adults to build emotional awareness, strengthen coping skills, and navigate challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion. Using CBT, DBT-informed interventions, and a humanistic approach, I tailor therapy to each client’s unique needs while helping them create meaningful and lasting growth. As a bilingual Spanish-speaking therapist, I am committed to providing culturally sensitive and inclusive care to individuals from diverse backgrounds.

My Specialities

Individual Therapy

Neurodivergent Care

Children & Teen Therapy

Family Therapy

Parenting/Caregiver Support

Couple Therapy

Terapia en español

LGBTQ+ Support

My Path as a Therapist

My path as a therapist began through my work supporting children, adolescents, and families in both school-based and community mental health settings. These experiences helped me develop a deep appreciation for the importance of emotional support, meaningful connection, and creating safe spaces where individuals and families feel truly heard and understood. Early in my clinical journey, I worked closely with children and adolescents navigating emotional, behavioral, and academic challenges, while also collaborating with caregivers and school staff to support each child’s overall well-being. These experiences strengthened my understanding of how family systems, relationships, and environments shape emotional health and personal growth.

Through my graduate training in clinical psychology, I continued developing my clinical skills through integrative, trauma-informed, and humanistic approaches. My work draws from evidence-based treatment methods, such as CBT, DBT-informed interventions, and attachment and relational therapy to help clients better understand their emotions, relational patterns, strengthen coping skills, and navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and self-compassion. I believe therapy should feel collaborative, supportive, and tailored to each person’s unique experiences and goals.

In my current work, I support children, teens, adults, couples, and families navigating anxiety, trauma-related stress, emotional dysregulation, interpersonal challenges, and major life transitions. My experience working in both therapy and psychological assessment settings has also deepened my understanding of the connection between emotional well-being, cognitive functioning, and overall mental health. As a bilingual Spanish-speaking therapist, I value providing culturally sensitive and inclusive care that honors each client’s background, identity, and lived experience. My approach is warm, grounded, and authentic, with a focus on helping clients feel empowered while creating meaningful and lasting growth.

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Top Issues I Work With:

  • Trauma (PTSD)

  • Children & Teen counseling

  • Neurodivergent affirming (ADHD, Autism, AuDHD)

  • Caregiver / Parenting Support

  • Interpersonal/relationship issues

  • Attachment wounds / Childhood wounds

  • Anxiety and chronic stress

  • Dysregulated emotion

  • Depression and mood disorders

  • Life transitions and adjustment stress

  • LGBTQ+ support

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Therapy Style:

  • Warm

  • Compassionate

  • Collaborative

  • Nonjudgmental

  • Empowering

  • Authentic

  • Grounded

  • Trauma-informed

  • Humanistic

  • Client-centered

  • Culturally sensitive

  • Strength-based

  • Relational

  • Integrative

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Trainings & Approaches

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Evidence-based Therapy

  • Art / Play therapy

  • Skill building

  • Attachment-focused

  • Trauma-Informed Care

  • Psychoeducation

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Education & Credentials

  • Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

  • Registered Associate Marriage & Family Therapist 169107

Availability:

Accepting virtual clients

Accepting in-person clients in Torrance (Southbay)

virtual therapy that offers a flexible appointment time in California

Fee:

$120 for individuals | $180 for couples & Families

Sliding scale may be available

virtual therapy that offers low fee in California

Insurance:

Unitedhealthcare | Aetna | Optum | Blue Shield

Superbill for All PPO

virtual therapy that is covered by insurance in California

Get Started with Melissa

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