About Rebecca Alvarez (they/she)
Rebecca Alvarez, LCSW, MEd, CST is an abolitionist Clinical Social Worker, Sex Therapist, and Educator whose practice is informed by their social location as a queer, mixed-race, latinx/white, anti-zionist ashkenazi jew, and temporarily able-bodied person. Their intention is to build therapeutic relationships that nurture validation and growth.
In addition to private practice therapy Rebecca began the Ibis Team in 2020 alongside Iris Bowen, LCSW. This consulting project offers organizational trainings on Trauma and Transformative Justice for journalists seeking to cultivate healing connections with the communities they serve. From 2016 until 2022, Rebecca lectured in the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) on Human Sexuality and Social Work. They also provided long term therapy with the Therapy Center of Philadelphia and at Einstein Healthcare Network’s Immunodeficiency Center (IDC) in North Philadelphia. While at the IDC, she provided pleasure-positive relational therapeutic services to individuals and groups living with HIV/AIDS. While working at Women Against Abuse (WAA), they offered short-term therapy to residents housed in the Domestic Violence shelter, and worked as the Training and Technical Assistance Supervisor, training professionals and consumers in multiple areas of Intimate Partner Violence. They live and operate their therapy and consulting practice while occupying Lenapehoking land.
Rebecca began working in the sexuality field in 2005, received her Master's in Social Work and Master's of Education in Human Sexuality at Widener University in 2011, and became a Certified Sex Therapist in 2023. Equipped with lived and academic experience, she co-founded the queer sex education collaborative ScrewSmart in 2009, which brought pleasure-focused workshops and events to participants throughout the country. For six years, Rebecca created queer, trans and disability-centered spaces for students in the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice (SP2) to learn about Human Sexuality and LGBTQ Practices within the professional field. Rebecca is passionate about integrating sexuality into patient-centered care; to this end, they co-founded the LGBT Committee at Einstein Medical Center, served as a Gynecological Teaching Associate for medical students, developed curriculum and facilitated small groups for the American Medical Student Association’s Sexual Health Scholar’s Program, and volunteered as a board member for the Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health (now SHIP) in Rhode Island.
Rebecca provides trainings on trauma, sexuality, gender, and equity. They are available for facilitation or consultation by request through the "Contact" page.