About

My name is Yesenia Zelaya-Alem and I hold a professional counseling license in Virgina. My clients can expect their counseling experience with me to begin with a person-centered approach, meaning that as my client you are the expert of your experience. It's important for me that my clients feel comfortable, secure, and accepted during our time. My areas of focus include trauma, domestic violence or inter-partner violence, sexual abuse, trafficking, emotional dysregulation, complicated grief, and various women issues (postpartum depression, infertility, and balancing life roles/expectations). My approach As a therapist, I tailor my approach to my clients' needs. The most common ones include cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, dialectic behavioral therapy, solution-focused, trauma-informed therapy, and mindfulness, among others. Regardless of the therapeutic interventions, I view each situation through a culturally appropriate lens to ensure I accurately understand my clients' experience and perspectives. My focus I am most comfortable seeing individual adults (18+) and couples. I make exceptions and see adolescents (13-17) who are in need of a Spanish-speaking therapist. I also see adolescents experiencing inappropriate sexual conduct whether they are court involved or not. Although I currently do not hold a CSOTP certification, I am working towards becoming certified and have 8 years' experience working with youth who sexually offend. My communication style I tend to communicate with my clients in a calm, warm tone. I try my best to be responsive, clear, and direct in my communication during and outside of sessions. My clients will always be treated with respect and dignity, and expect the same treatment from my clients. My journey to therapy My personal characteristics of being an empathetic person and a helper have greatly encouraged me to become a therapist.