Specialized trauma-focused & EMDR therapy for healing how you love & live
Private therapy in-person in Pasadena & Los Angeles and virtually throughout California.
alexa aversano, lmft
EMDR & specialized trauma therapy in Los Angeles, CA
ADHD • Relationship Trauma • Complex Trauma • Identity, Belonging & Self-Expression
licensed marriage & family therapist · LMFT #140766
Specialized support for
Relationship Trauma & Complex Trauma
ADHD (particularly in women and late-diagnosis)
LGBTQ+ Mental Health
Identity and Belonging
Emotional, Psychological, and Narcissistic Abuse
Relationship Patterns & Intimacy
My approach
Holistic, integrative therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
EMDR intensives
Trauma-informed yoga & movement
Emotional Support Animal (ESA) assessments
Who I support best
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I love working with women who are coming to understand their ADHD, particularly after a late diagnosis, and finding ways to work with it rather than against it.
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Support for people healing from relationships that left them doubting themselves, walking on eggshells, or disconnected from their own needs and instincts.
Whether you've experienced relational abuse, emotional neglect, chronic invalidation, betrayal, attachment wounds, narcissistic relationship dynamics, or simply relationships that taught you to doubt yourself, therapy can help you heal the patterns those experiences left behind.
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Adults who are ready to explore what they want—not just what others expect of them.
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I often work with LGBTQ+ individuals, with an understanding of identity, relationships, and intimacy beyond heteronormative frameworks.
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I’m a strong advocate for emotional support animals (ESA) and the comfort and grounding they can bring to the healing process.
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I support you in making sense of who you are, where that came from, and what you want to carry forward.
Identity work in therapy is the process of exploring and making sense of who you are—how your experiences, relationships, culture, and internal world have shaped your sense of self, and what still feels true (or no longer fits).
It often involves looking at the roles you’ve taken on, the beliefs you’ve internalized, and the parts of yourself that may have been adapted, hidden, or constrained over time. From there, the work becomes less about “figuring yourself out” in a fixed way and more about developing a more flexible, grounded, and self-directed sense of who you are—one that feels more aligned, integrated, and chosen rather than inherited or automatic.
In practice, that can look like noticing patterns, questioning old narratives, reconnecting with disowned parts of yourself, and making more intentional choices about how you want to show up in your life and relationships.
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I help you unpack the ways you show up with others so you can build relationships that feel more intentional, reciprocal, and right for you.
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deep thinkers and big feelers
I’m less interested in keeping things polished and more interested in understanding the full, complicated picture of who you are.
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Humor is a big part of how I move through the world, and I believe it belongs in therapy too. I create space for honest connection, collaborative work, and a well-timed laugh.
Starting Therapy
First, we connect.
After you reach out, I’ll follow up by email to set up a brief conversation where we can discuss what you’re looking for, your goals for therapy, and any logistical details, as well as get a sense of whether we’re a good fit. You can typically expect a response from me in 1-2 business days. If it feels like a match, we’ll move forward with scheduling an initial session, either in person at my office or via telehealth.
Next, we meet.
In our first session, we’ll spend time getting to know you and your current circumstances through a thorough conversation. I’ll ask about what you’re experiencing, any challenges you’re facing, your history, and any previous treatment. The initial appointment typically runs about 60 minutes.
Working Together.
I intentionally keep my caseload small so I can offer attentive, individualized care.
If we move forward together, sessions are typically scheduled once a week for 45–50 minutes to maintain consistency in your care. A standing weekly appointment reserves your time each week, though we can adjust scheduling when clinically appropriate and mutually agreed upon. I see clients on weekdays and do not offer weekend appointments.
Payment.
Payment is collected at the time of each session and can be made by cash or digital payment. I am not currently set up to accept credit cards.
To maintain a more individualized approach to care, I do not participate with insurance panels. This means I am considered an out-of-network provider; however, I can provide a superbill (detailed receipt) upon request for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement.
I also reserve a limited number of reduced-fee spots in my practice, and you’re welcome to ask about availability.