Salvador Maciel Avila, AMFT, CA | Psychotherapist

About Salvador Maciel Avila

Clientele seen

Young adults (18-24)

Seniors (65+)

Teenagers (13-17)

Individuals

Adults (25-64)

Treatment approaches

Attachment-based

Dance/Movement Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

EMDR

Culturally Sensitive

Interpersonal

Identity

Gender

Male

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know Salvador Maciel Avila

Hola, I'm Sal Avila (he/him), a bilingual therapist at Tonalli Therapy & Consulting, a BIPOC-centered group practice in the Bay Area. I work in English and Spanish with teens, young adults, and first-generation and bicultural folks working through trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and the kind of stress that comes with carrying big expectations on your shoulders. As a first-generation immigrant, I know what it's like to navigate multiple identities, cultural expectations, and systems that weren't built with you in mind. That lived experience is at the center of how I practice. My job is to create a space where you feel heard and supported without needing to explain yourself perfectly. I earned my M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy/Professional Clinical Counseling from Saint Mary's College of California, and I'm trained in EMDR therapy for trauma and PTSD. I'm an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #142989) and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC #15222), supervised by Adriana Martínez, LCSW #75597

What should a new client know about working with you?

You don't have to show up polished. You don't have to translate your world for me, code-switch, or spend half the session explaining why family expectations feel so heavy. If you're a teen or young adult juggling academics, performance pressure, or burnout, or you're the "first" in your family at everything, I get it, and this space was built with you in mind. My approach is relational and person-centered, which is a fancy way of saying the relationship comes first. We move at your pace. For trauma, I offer EMDR, a structured, well-researched approach that helps your brain reprocess painful experiences so they stop running the show. And because I also work as a wellness coordinator at a local high school, I'm deeply familiar with what young people are carrying right now. Sessions are available in English or Spanish, whichever feels most like home.

What is your typical process for working with clients?

We start slow, on purpose. The first few sessions are about getting to know each other: what's bringing you in, what you've already tried, and what you want your life to look like. Trust isn't a box we check in session one. It's something we build. From there, we shape the work around you. I draw from EMDR for trauma and PTSD, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for practical skills around anxiety, depression, and overwhelming emotions, and relational, person-centered therapy to hold it all together. Everything runs through a culturally responsive, identity-affirming lens, because your culture and your story belong in the room, not outside it. Along the way, we check in on how therapy is feeling and adjust together. Some seasons call for deep processing, others for concrete tools you can use the same week. Either way, you set the direction, and I will support you.

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In-network insurances

Salvador Maciel Avila, AMFT has +14 in-network plans.

Popular visit reasons

Agoraphobia

Hoarding Disorder

New Patient Visit

Pain Management Consultation

Psychosexual Evaluation

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit

Sleep Problems

Agoraphobia

Hoarding Disorder

New Patient Visit

Pain Management Consultation

Office location

Salvador Maciel Avila, AMFT also offers online video visits for patients

Tonalli Therapy & Consulting

1844 San Miguel Dr, Ste 306A, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

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Education and background

Practice names

Tonalli Therapy & Consulting

Education and training

Saint Mary's College of California (Marriage and Family Therapy)

NPI number

1891630018

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Frequently asked questions

How soon can I make an appointment with Salvador Maciel Avila?

Generally, Salvador Maciel Avila has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Salvador Maciel Avila's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

Is Salvador Maciel Avila accepting new patients?

Salvador Maciel Avila generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Salvador Maciel Avila's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

Does Salvador Maciel Avila accept my insurance?

Choose your insurance plan to verify if Salvador Maciel Avila is in-network.

Can I make an appointment with Salvador Maciel Avila online?

Yes, you can make an appointment online with Salvador Maciel Avila using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

What practice does Salvador Maciel Avila work with?

Salvador Maciel Avila works with Tonalli Therapy & Consulting.

Where is Salvador Maciel Avila's office located?

Salvador Maciel Avila has 2 office locations, including in Berkeley and Walnut Creek, view full addresses on Salvador Maciel Avila's profile.

What are common reasons for patients to see Salvador Maciel Avila?

Salvador Maciel Avila frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Salvador Maciel Avila on their profile.