ChangeAtYourPace.org Need help now?

Therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp. We will earn a commission at no additional cost to you if you use our links to purchase.

Soraya Avalos

Soraya Avalos

LMFT

California

Compassionate therapist focused on motivation and skills

Continue with Soraya

At a glance

Credentials
LMFT
License
LMFT, California / 86910
Experience
15 years
Languages
English, Spanish
Location
California

Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.

    • Motivation focused
    • Practical skills
    • English and Spanish

    About Soraya

    Soraya Avalos is a California licensed marriage and family therapist with 15 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship struggles, and depression. She focuses on practical steps that build motivation and confidence. Her approach is respectful and compassionate, aimed at helping people take the first steps toward a more fulfilling life.

    She adapts conversations and plans to fit each person's situation. Sessions emphasize clear goals and steady progress rather than one-size-fits-all techniques. Soraya uses methods that help people notice unhelpful patterns, build new skills, and reconnect with what matters to them.

    Her work often addresses life transitions, caregiver strain, attachment concerns, and communication breakdowns. She also supports people dealing with guilt, impulsivity, mood difficulties, trauma reactions, pregnancy and childbirth stress, and social anxiety.

    Therapeutic methods include motivational interviewing to boost readiness for change, cognitive behavioral strategies to shift thoughts and behaviors, and dialectical behavior skills for managing intense emotions. She also uses solution-focused steps and Internal Family Systems ideas to help people organize inner parts and find practical moves forward.

    Soraya offers services in English and Spanish and practices in California. She tailors sessions to each person’s goals and works collaboratively to build realistic plans for change.

  2. How Motivational and Skill-Based Approaches Work Online

    Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify what they want to change and strengthens their commitment to take small steps. It uses focused conversation to find personal reasons for change and reduce barriers to taking action.

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. It teaches practical strategies to challenge unhelpful thinking and develop new behaviors for anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, offers concrete skills for regulating strong emotions and improving communication. It can be useful when intense feelings or impulsive reactions make daily life harder.

    Finding the best approach is part of the work together. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match their goals, needs, and preferences, and will adjust the plan as progress is made.

    Confirm the session formats available before booking, as the biography does not list specific options. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They can also let people use strategies learned in session while at home or during a break, helping skills transfer into everyday life.

  4. Areas of expertise

    Primary focus

    Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

    Additional focus areas

    Attachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsDivorce and separationGuilt and shameImpulsivityLife purposeMood disordersPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

    Therapeutic approaches

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

    Experience

    15+ years

    Listed in

    California

    Languages

    English, Spanish

  5. Frequently asked questions

    What concerns does Soraya help with?

    She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, low self-esteem, and coping with life changes, along with related issues like attachment, caregiver stress, and communication problems.

    How would you describe the therapeutic style?

    Her style is practical and compassionate. Conversations focus on clear goals, motivation, and building skills that can be used between sessions.

    What is her professional background?

    She has 15 years of professional experience working with people on mood, motivation, and relationship concerns.

    What credentials and location are listed?

    She is a California licensed marriage and family therapist, listed as CA LMFT, and practices in California.

    Which languages are supported in sessions?

    Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

    Can people outside the U.S. work with her?

    She does not accept international clients at this time.

    How is cost handled?

    Cost varies by location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

    How do I begin if I want to work together?

    Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

  6. Online talk therapy is not emergency or medical care. Stopping or cutting down alcohol or other drugs can be unsafe without medical advice. In immediate danger? Crisis numbers

Back to all therapists

Soraya Avalos Continue with Soraya