Stephanie Cruz Alvarez

Stephanie Cruz Alvarez is a Bilingual Mental Health Counselor at Northern Virginia Family Service, providing essential support to immigrant families facing various challenges, including low income and high-crime environments. With a strong focus on comprehensive, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant approaches, Stephanie works to empower at-risk youth and families, ensuring their success in academic and social realms. Additional experience includes serving as a Bilingual Research Interviewer at Rutgers State University of New Jersey, an Outreach Specialist at Journey to Wellness, and a Community Health Educator at North Hudson Community Action Corporation, where screening and education for behavioral health and healthcare access were key responsibilities. Stephanie holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Rutgers University, a certification in Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling from Middlesex College, and a Master's Degree from Rutgers School of Social Work.