Ann M Alves

On my path as a psychotherapist, I felt the call  to expand beyond traditional talk therapy. So I ventured into the jungle of Costa Rica, Brazil and the mountains of Peru, to commune with nature and  uncover the transformative power of ancestral wisdom,  sacred plant medicines, and the healing powers of voice and song, long used by  indigenous lineages. I learned that profound healing occurs through the lens of joy, compassion,  forgiveness, and gratitude. It is my honor to share the gifts of my experiences with you on your journey back to yourself.

After many years of emotional turmoil and inner chaos which kept manifesting in my outer world, the realization that a trauma history impacted every aspect of my life, began to settle in. After being diagnosed with chronic lyme and spending years bouncing around from doctor to doctor and taking endless amounts of antibiotics, I finally said, “There has to be another way, and I'm going to find it!”
On a quest for liberation and transformation, I made the bold decision to pack up my bags and move to beautiful Costa Rica, where I dedicated my time and energy into delving within by exploring many different strategies and healing modalities which led to desirable results. Within one year, I went into full remission of Lyme symptoms, I processed and integrated past traumatic experiences, gained a different perspective about myself, the world around me and re-ignited my inner light; my personal power.

My personal development journey has taken me on a path of self-discovery, exploration, and healing, uncovering the layers of my own being. Along this transformative journey, I’ve had the privilege of learning from indigenous lineages in Costa Rica, Brazil and Peru about ancestral teachings and shamanic approaches to healing mind, body and spirit. Understanding that in order to restore harmony and wellbeing in our physical body, we must also attend to our emotional & energy bodies, I pursued reiki certification and trained in Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) also known as tapping, and the Emotion Code for energetic hygiene. 

By integrating the wisdom of traditional education, personal experiences, shamanic practices and plant medicines, I bring together all of my learnings, and acquired skills to guide and empower others on their  journeys by offering a holistic approach to healing and personal transformation.

In addition to over ten years of clinical experience as a licensed clinical social worker, helping adults and adolescents navigate challenges around depression, anxiety, trauma and addiction, I bring in a breath of spirituality to help you rediscover and connect with your true essence - your inner light, so you too, can overcome challenges in your life. 

Unlike traditional talk therapy, our sessions may incorporate techniques and practices using voice, sound, tapping, movement, mindfulness and beyond. I believe that true healing comes from knowing yourself, being yourself and loving yourself without any judgment.