Michael L. Alvarez has been a licensed marriage and family therapist for 41 years, having

previously worked in the field of education as both teacher and principal.  He provides general individual and conjoint therapy with clinical specializations in addictions and sexually problematic behavior.

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After establishing his private practice in 1981, he worked concurrently in various residential rehabilitation and psychiatric facilities. In addition to working with all populations, Mr. Alvarez specialized in providing intervention for adolescents and their families between 1981 and 1991.  In 1991, he became the first Program Director for Dr. Patrick Carnes, PhD and Dr. John Sealy, M.D. in the creation of the sexual disorders program at Del Amo Hospital in Torrance, California.  In 1994, he designed a specialized track for the treatment of nonviolent sex offenders. 

 

Mr. Alvarez is a respected forensic expert, providing testimony for both prosecutors and defense.  Also, in 2003, he was invited to England as founding Program Director.for a new addiction treatment center near London, Lifeworks Community.

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Mr. Alvarez has been a presenter at the National Council on Sex Addiction (presently SASH) and for The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.  Additionally, he has published in

"Sexual Addiction and Compulsivity: The Journal of Treatment and Prevention".  Mr. Alvarez is currently in private practice in Torrance, CA.