Alvin Tan, LCSW - Therapist in California

About Alvin

Alvin Tan is a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on practical, problem-solving therapy. He uses clear tools to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and life changes. He also addresses issues like addiction, trauma, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, anger, self-esteem, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and social anxiety.

His style is direct and skills-based so parents and adults can try things between sessions and see what helps. Alvin draws on methods that teach specific skills.

Background and approach

He helps clients learn coping techniques, spot unhelpful thinking patterns, and practice small behavior changes. He also supports people working through grief, trauma, or the fallout from addiction with structured approaches that aim to build stability. His clinical background includes work in acute locked psychiatric care and outpatient mental health clinics.

He has provided individual and group treatment in substance use programs and supported adults with developmental disabilities in group home settings. Alvin has experience both delivering direct care and supervising staff, and he has mentored undergraduate and graduate students. Sessions focus on building insight and practical skills.

Clients can expect problem-solving, learning coping strategies, and strengthening supports. The approach is collaborative, with attention to what works day to day. He practices in California and communicates in English.

Alvin is available through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

Evidence-based approaches for online care

Alvin commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to guide online work. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety and depression. Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, teaches emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills that can help with strong emotions, impulsive behaviors, and relationship conflicts.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about problems, goals, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions around school, work, or caregiving duties. Clients can practice new skills between meetings and check in in shorter ways when needed. For many people, these formats make consistent therapy more practical and easier to maintain.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Alvin commonly address?

He works with stress, anxiety, depression, coping with life changes, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, relationships and intimacy issues, anger, self-esteem, compassion fatigue, ADHD, and social anxiety and phobia.

What is his typical therapy style?

He uses straightforward, skills-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused methods to teach coping skills and problem-solving. Sessions usually include practical tools to try between meetings.

What experience does he bring?

He has four years of clinical experience working in acute locked psychiatric care, outpatient clinics, substance use programs, and group home settings. He has also supervised staff and mentored students.

What are his credentials and where is he located?

He is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, licensed in California with CA LCSW 94348 and practices in California.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available online?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.

How does pricing work for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with him?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Career difficulties
Depression

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 4 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

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