Hi, I'm Alba Vargas

Master's-Level Counseling Intern

I help women and couples navigate anxiety, motherhood, self-doubt, and family expectations so they can feel more confident, connected, and comfortable being themselves.

Book a free intro Call

Looking for support with postpartum anxiety, self-doubt, or family stress in Phoenix, AZ? You're in the right place.

Maybe you've spent so much time making sure everyone else is okay that you've forgotten what it feels like to prioritize yourself. You're constantly second-guessing your decisions, worrying about disappointing people, or feeling guilty when you try to set boundaries.

Or maybe becoming a mom has brought up feelings you weren't expecting. You love your family, but you're overwhelmed, anxious, and struggling to recognize yourself in this new chapter. Between the expectations of motherhood, family dynamics, and the pressure to do everything right, it's hard to know where your own needs fit in.

I'm Alba, and I help women who are tired of second-guessing themselves, carrying everyone else's expectations, and feeling like they're never doing enough.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, people-pleasing, self-doubt, motherhood, and complicated family relationships. Whether you're adjusting to life with a new baby, working through cultural or generational expectations, or struggling to find your voice in relationships, therapy can help you feel more grounded and confident in yourself.

I believe many of the patterns we struggle with today started as ways of maintaining connection, belonging, or safety. Maybe you learned to keep the peace, put your own feelings aside, or measure your worth by how much you do for others. Those patterns may have helped you at one point, but they don't have to keep running your life.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and rooted in compassion. I'll help you explore the experiences that shaped how you see yourself, understand the emotions underneath your anxiety, and develop healthier ways of responding to life's challenges.

You don't have to choose between caring for the people you love and caring for yourself. There's room for both.

Book a free intro call

My Approach

Parts Work

Ever feel like one part of you wants to set a boundary while another feels guilty for even considering it? Through parts work, I'll help you approach these conflicting feelings with curiosity and compassion, making room for greater self-understanding and self-trust.

EMDR

Sometimes the experiences we've been through continue to shape how we feel about ourselves long after they're over. I'm currently completing EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) training, and I use a trauma-informed approach to help you understand how past experiences influence present-day anxiety, self-doubt, and relationship patterns.

Culturally Responsive Therapy

Family, culture, and generational expectations can shape our sense of identity and what we believe we owe others. I'll help you explore these influences with curiosity and respect so you can honor where you come from while making choices that feel authentic to you.

I believe you deserve to feel confident in who you are, without having to meet everyone else's expectations.

As a mom and Latina woman, I understand how deeply family, culture, and the roles we take on can shape our identities. Sometimes the expectations we've carried for years make it difficult to recognize what we actually want or need.

My training in trauma-informed therapy, attachment, and EMDR helps me look beyond the symptoms you're experiencing to understand the patterns underneath them. But just as importantly, I want therapy to feel like a place where you can show up exactly as you are, without judgment or pressure to have everything figured out.

Whether you're navigating postpartum anxiety, struggling with family boundaries, or working through years of self-doubt, I'll meet you with warmth, curiosity, and genuine care.

You don't have to be the perfect daughter, partner, or mother to be worthy of connection, support, and care.

Thoughtful Care, Supported by Training and Supervision

GRADUATE EDUCATION

MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Grand Canyon University anticipated graduation August 2027

TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE

EMDR Training in Progress

Anticipated completion November 2026

CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CARE

Exploring how family relationships, cultural expectations, and generational patterns shape our sense of self.

Identity & Family Dynamics

CLINICAL SUPPORT

Ongoing Supervision by Elaine Evans LPC

Receiving regular clinical supervision and consultation from experienced therapists.

Beyond the therapy room

Outside of my work as a therapist, one of my most meaningful roles is being a mom. Motherhood has given me a deeper appreciation for how much our identities evolve, how complicated it can be to balance our own needs with those of our families, and how important it is to have space to simply be ourselves. I also value the role that culture, family, and community play in shaping who we are, and I bring that curiosity and appreciation into both my personal life and my work.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sessions are typically 50 minutes, though many clients find that they prefer 90-minute sessions. Where appropriate, I may recommend two-hour sessions, particularly when processing trauma with EMDR.

  • We see clients make the most progress when they can commit to weekly sessions. For the first month at least, we recommend scheduling weekly. Some clients may decide to push out their sessions to every other week after that first month.

  • This is a great question and depends largely on your story and the work you’ve done leading up to this point, as well as your level of commitment to growth. Many clients have shared that they experience some relief, insight, or growth after 6 months of regular therapy where they’re implementing shifts in their daily life outside of therapy.

  • Alba’s session fee is $85 per 50-minute session for individuals and $100 per 50-minute session for couples and families.

  • As a specialty practice, I do not bill insurance directly. I can provide you with a superbill (like a fancy receipt) for therapy which you can submit to your insurance for potential out of network reimbursement. Not sure if you have out of network coverage? Check your benefits.

  • Alba is bilingual and provide therapy sessions in English or Spanish. It is often beneficial to do therapy in your native tongue.

  • Alba has availability to see clients on evenings and weekends. Book a spot on her calendar here.

  • If you’re ready to book your first session, you can request a spot on my calendar.

    If you’d like to chat first, you can book a free intro call. We’ll talk about your goals and I can answer any questions you have to see if I’m the right fit.

    If the vibes are right, we’ll book our first session. I’ll send over some paperwork online to complete before that first appointment.