My name is Leah Alviar and I would like to share a little bit about myself with you.
Degrees, Certifications, and Professional Experience:
Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership from the University of the Incarnate Word
M.A. in Counseling from the University of Texas at San Antonio
B.S. in Generic Special Education from Our Lady of the Lake University.
I am both a Licensed Professional Counselor and certified professional school counselor with over 22 years of counseling experience. I have held leadership roles in local, regional, and state counseling organizations, am a published author, present at local, state, and national conferences and served as editor for Ph.D. student dissertations.
Currently I am a Senior Director at the University of the Incarnate Word and teach graduate counseling courses as well as undergraduate prep courses at various universities. I previously
served as the Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, an instructional designer, adjunct professor for the M.A. in Counseling program, Director of Field Experience, and assistant professor of education at OLLU, as well as professional school counselor in various ISDs in San Antonio. I have over 15 years’ experience teaching university students in both the online and face-to-face environments and have authored courses and taught classes at the undergraduate and graduate level for over 17 years.
Theoretical Perspective:
Over the course of my counseling career, I have worked with people who were anxious, depressed, stressed, and simply burned out; I have helped adolescents and couples who have struggled with communication issues and relationship barriers; I have worked with families regarding parenting, abuse, grief, and death; and I have helped individuals with career planning, self-esteem building, goal setting, and wellness strategies to cope with major life changes. Throughout my work, I have used many techniques and applied multiple theories, as each person is as unique as the theories and techniques. I am solution-focused and client-centered. I feel the counselor serves as the guide and facilitator for the clients as they move through their journey. I use a humanistic approach to counseling, but also integrate cognitive behavior therapy techniques as deemed appropriate. I adapt my counseling strategies to meet the needs of the client.
A Little About Me:
I have been happily married to my high school sweetheart for almost 25 years and together we have three amazing sons. We enjoy fishing, being outdoors, reading, traveling, and catching the latest movie together as a family. When practicing self-care, I enjoy ultrarunning, reading, skydiving and quilting.
Additional areas of focus: LGBT, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Compassion fatigue, Co-morbidity, Communication problems, Family Problems, Guilt and shame, Infidelity, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy
TX LPC 18824
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Leah Alviar. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I’m beyond happy I had Leah as my therapist. She’s the best at listening and understanding what practices I need to implement in my life to feel better
Written on Feb 27, 2022 after therapy with Leah for 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I know she cares because she has messaged me to check on me. She shows genuine concern and just wants to know how I’m doing ; that means a lot .
Written on Aug 23, 2021 after therapy with Leah for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
She's great. I appreciate the advice she provides. I have found her to be easy to talk to and understanding. She advises professionally and without judgement. She gives good advice and offers thoughtful insights.
Written on Jul 22, 2021 after therapy with Leah for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I love her approach! She really listens and cares about what you’re trying to get across. Whether you have the words or not… she assimilates it all and doesn’t discard anything. Many times, as clients, we retract from fully expressing ourselves because we feel like we’re rambling, but she validates those spirals as necessary for self examination. I love that, it makes me feel seen and heard.
Written on Jul 20, 2021 after therapy with Leah for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and compassion fatigue
Leah is wonderful, she consistently goes above and beyond to pursue new strategies to meet my goals and creates a welcoming and productive environment during and between sessions.
Written on May 20, 2021 after therapy with Leah for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and career difficulties
Leah has gotten me through some of the darkest times. She has taught me so much about my struggles and always makes me feel like i am never alone in this. Truly believe she cares inside and out.
Written on Feb 01, 2021 after therapy with Leah for 10 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, and coping with life changes