Jose Alvear

Therapist

Offers Online Sessions

Male

Jose Alvear, LCSW, is a bilingual therapist dedicated to mental health, social justice, and social work. His passion lies in serving vulnerable populations, including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, the elderly, at-risk youth, recent immigrants, and individuals with chronic health conditions. Jose’s journey into mental health began with his own struggles with dermatillomania (chronic skin picking disorder), which he lived with undiagnosed for over 30 years, leading to physical scarring, low self-esteem, and depression. After seeking clinical help and discovering that his ""bad habit"" was actually a treatable body-focused repetitive disorder (BFRB), he started an anonymous blog called ""Diary of a Skin Picker"" to document his recovery and support others.

Following the inclusion of excoriation disorder in the DSM-5 in 2013, Jose transitioned from his 20-year career as a tech writer and research analyst to pursue his Master of Social Work (MSW) from the NYU Silver School of Social Work, graduating in 2016. His commitment to advocacy extends beyond his clinical work, as he actively works to increase Latino representation in social work, reduce mental health stigma, and raise awareness about BFRBs, which affect approximately 5% of the population. He continues to develop various projects related to skin picking and other BFRBs, including the BFRB Podcast, while using his personal experiences to advocate for those who lack a voice in the mental health community.

Who might be a good fit for Jose ?

Individuals or couples navigating challenges related to chronic health conditions, trauma, or body-focused repetitive behaviors may find alignment with the strategies and frameworks utilized by Jose Alvear. His bilingual and culturally sensitive approach, combined with lived experience and expertise in trauma-informed and strength-based therapies, supports those seeking compassionate and practical guidance.

More About Jose Alvear

Practice/Network Information

Jose Alvear is featured on Psych Hub through our partnership with Brightside Health.

Top Specialties

ADHD Addiction Anxiety Crisis Intervention Depression Other Post Partum

Available In

Massachusetts Minnesota New York Tennessee

Treatment Methods

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Compassion Focused Crisis Intervention Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Motivational Interviewing Other Strength-Based Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT)

Ages Treated

Middle Age (40 - 64) Older Adult (65+) Young Adult (18-39)

Languages Spoken

English Spanish

Insurance and Fees

Insurance or Payments Accepted

Remember to always check with your carrier to confirm coverage.

Aetna Ambetter Blue Cross Blue Shield Cigna Highmark Medicare Other United Health Care WellCare

FAQs

Continue to Brightside Health to confirm Jose Alvear 's availability for new clients.

Jose takes multiple insurance plans including Aetna , Ambetter and more.

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