Honest, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps you understand your attachment patterns and build secure, fulfilling relationships.

 CALIFORNIA  PSYCHOTHERAPY

 START THERAPY

Honest, evidence-based psychotherapy that helps you understand your attachment patterns and build secure, fulfilling relationships.

 CALIFORNIA  PSYCHOTHERAPY

 START THERAPY

     STOP MANAGING THE MESS      •      START LIVING      •      STOP MANAGING THE MESS      •      START LIVING      •      STOP MANAGING THE MESS      •      START LIVING      •      STOP MANAGING THE MESS      •      START LIVING      •
ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED PSYCHOTHERAPY   •   FOR RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS THAT KEEP REPEATING   •   TELEHEALTH SESSIONS FOR ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA   •
ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED PSYCHOTHERAPY   •   FOR RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS THAT KEEP REPEATING   •   TELEHEALTH SESSIONS FOR ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA   •
ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED PSYCHOTHERAPY   •   FOR RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS THAT KEEP REPEATING   •   TELEHEALTH SESSIONS FOR ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA   •
ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED PSYCHOTHERAPY   •   FOR RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS THAT KEEP REPEATING   •   TELEHEALTH SESSIONS FOR ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA   •
ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED PSYCHOTHERAPY   •   FOR RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS THAT KEEP REPEATING   •   TELEHEALTH SESSIONS FOR ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA   •
ATTACHMENT-FOCUSED PSYCHOTHERAPY   •   FOR RELATIONSHIP PATTERNS THAT KEEP REPEATING   •   TELEHEALTH SESSIONS FOR ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA   •
  • You keep ending up in the same relationship dynamics, even when you’re trying to establish new patterns.

  • Fear of abandonment shows up as jealousy, overthinking, or needing reassurance.

  • Conflict escalates fast, you say things you regret or shut down completely.

  • Your emotional reactions feel bigger than the situation.

  • These patterns can show up with coworkers, friends, and or romantic relationships.

These are some of the most common signs attachment patterns may be affecting your relationships.

If this sounds familiar, attachment patterns are usually part of the picture.

This is the work I do. I help you understand how those attachment patterns drive your reactions, catch them as they’re happening, and respond differently so relationships feel more stable, secure, and less exhausting.

We're a good fit if:

  • You’re an adult based in California

  • You’re looking for individual psychotherapy offered via telehealth

  • You’re seeking private, self-pay therapy rather than using insurance

  • You’re open to honest, insight-based work that goes deeper than surface-level coping strategies

BOOK AN ASSESSMENT

Hey, I'm Alyssa.

I’ve been a psychotherapist for almost ten years, and my style is naturally direct, I’m from the Northeast, so honesty is kind of built in. 

My approach is straightforward. I use Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT), an advanced, evidence-based method originally developed for complex trauma. It’s not widely available, and I’m one of the limited number of U.S. clinicians formally trained in this modality.

I do this work because I’ve seen how attachment patterns affect all areas of our lives. I’m deeply aware of how damaging it can be to carry old patterns into new relationships, and to want something different.

MY APPROACH

ABOUT ME

SERVICES

I offer individual psychotherapy sessions via secure telehealth for adults in California. Sessions are usually 53 minutes, but I also provide intensive sessions that are 2.5 to 3 hours long if needed.

We begin with an initial assessment, where we take time to understand what’s bringing you in and decide together whether this feels like a good fit.

Telehealth Psychotherapy Sessions

MY SERVICES

Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT)

Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT) is an evidence-based approach that helps you understand your thoughts, feelings, and relationship patterns, especially during moments of stress or conflict. Rather than reacting automatically, you'll learn to pause, make sense of what's happening, and build more secure, connected relationships.

It's a specialized approach that forms the foundation of my work with attachment trauma and relationship difficulties.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MY APPROACH

     STOP MANAGING THE MESS      •      START LIVING      •      STOP MANAGING THE MESS      •      START LIVING      •      STOP MANAGING THE MESS      •      START LIVING      •      STOP MANAGING THE MESS      •      START LIVING      •
MENTALIZATION-BASED THERAPY   •   SPECIALIZED TRAINING   •   EVIDENCE-BASED   •   DESIGNED FOR ATTACHMENT TRAUMA   •
MENTALIZATION-BASED THERAPY   •   SPECIALIZED TRAINING   •   EVIDENCE-BASED   •   DESIGNED FOR ATTACHMENT TRAUMA   •
MENTALIZATION-BASED THERAPY   •   SPECIALIZED TRAINING   •   EVIDENCE-BASED   •   DESIGNED FOR ATTACHMENT TRAUMA   •
You schedule your initial assessment directly through my secure booking system.

Book an Initial Assessment

STEP 01

We meet for an initial session to understand what’s bringing you in and decide together whether working together feels like a good fit.

Initial Assessment
Session

STEP 02

If we move forward, we continue with regular therapy sessions focused on understanding patterns and building more secure relationships.

Ongoing Therapy

STEP 03

BOOK AN ASSESSMENT

What To Expect

"Alyssa fosters a safe environment for patients to speak freely without judgement and offers productive solutions that have been supported by research. She is kind and very smart. She offers different perspectives on situations that help aid in treatment plans."

"Alyssa offers great insight. She will use real life examples to help me understand what she is trying to convey. And she is very understanding when it comes to getting what I am going through due to her own personal experiences in the working world as a person at my age. She includes humor in our sessions, which I always enjoy."

"Alyssa provides research-backed data regarding treatment for symptoms. She fosters a safe environment to be honest and open without feeling like I'll be judged. She makes me feel human in a society where there is stigma about mental health. I honestly don't know what I would've done without her."

"Meeting Alyssa has been one of the most comforting factors of my wellness journey to date. I have been severely depressed, anxious, and limited by mental illness for 20+ years."

"Alyssa has been there for me when no one else was. She is so authentic and tells the truth with compassion. I feel so lucky to have someone who specializes in more of what I'm going through. She's been more helpful than all my other therapists combined. My relationship with myself is starting to improve. It is rippling into other parts of my life, which I am thankful for."

"A lot of therapists do not work with people with symptoms and diagnoses similar to mine, at least long-term. She is amazing. I appreciate her."

"Alyssa has been the most integral part of my healing so far, and has provided more purposeful help and insight than any other treatment I've gotten over the last 25 years. She's professional and straightforward."

"Alyssa understands me and my situation very well and continues to teach me ways to cope with the struggles I face."

"Alyssa talks to me like a normal person and normalizes all of my symptoms and needs so I don't feel bad."

If this resonates, the next step is simple.

Starting therapy can feel like a big decision, especially if you’ve been carrying these patterns for a long time. You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out.

When you book an initial assessment, we’ll take time to understand what’s bringing you in and see whether working together feels like a good fit.

There’s no pressure to commit beyond that first step.

START THERAPY

Request Appointment

Alyssa Balasco MS, MSW, LCSW, CYT

I’m Alyssa, a California-based psychotherapist specializing in attachment trauma and relationship patterns.

I work with adults who want real understanding and meaningful change

licensure (LCSW): 113260