Welcome to the realized vision and dream of Dr. Alysia Sierra. Alysia is a licensed clinical psychologist who opened herself to mindfulness meditation at a time in her life when she was struggling on all fronts—in her marriage, as a Mom, in her career, in her health, and most notably in her sense of self-worth.
Alysia had been in therapy and she had a good resources in her friends and family. And yet she continued to struggle. Thanks to her training as a psychologist, Alysia knew about the scientifically backed findings that establishing a regular meditation practice can help almost anyone:
Increase focus, attention, and concentration; Reduce stress, Decrease unhealthy levels of anxiety and depression; Cultivate calm and soothe the nervous system; Improve performance (sports, performing arts, business, etc.); Recognize, regulate, and nurture strong emotions; Increase pain tolerance; Enhance mental and emotional flexibility; Cultivate increased compassion and kindness toward others; Decrease addictive or harmful escape and avoidance behaviors.
This gave her the motivation to begin a mindfulness meditation practice and for about a year, she meditated daily using meditation apps. Then she found a community of folks who were also dedicated to these practices, to waking up from limiting beliefs, freeing themselves from unnecessary emotional suffering, and changing harmful habits. This led Alysia to attend mindfulness retreats, trainings, and workshops.
What Alysia has found on her own twisting and turning journey of self-discovery and self-acceptance over the past 8 years is that more than anything, mindfulness meditation is a pathway to healing; it is a pathway to freedom from unnecessary suffering; it is a pathway to relating to self and others with unconditional acceptance, kindness, compassion, and love. These practices continue to transform Alysia’s life in so many ways.
This is a journey best traveled with others. Please join Alysia and so many others who are walking a path of awareness, insight, compassion, and peace.
Alysia has been a licensed psychologist in the State of Maryland for almost 10 years! She holds a Doctorate in Psychology, and has been trained in numerous modalities of psychotherapy and psychological assessment. Much of her continued educational training has centered on how to incorporate mindfulness-based practices, self-compassion practices, and bodywork into therapy.
Alysia has a certification in Mindful Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy from the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. She is currently completing her second year of Tara Brach’s and Jack Kornfield’s two-year intensive Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program sponsored by Sounds True, The Awareness Training Institute, and the University of California at Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.
About Alysia Sierra, PsyD (she/her)
Alysia stands firmly against all forms of racism, misogyny, transphobia, homophobia, and discrimination. Her center is dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusivity, equity, and justice. She believes in actively challenging systemic injustices and creating a community and therapeutic environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to heal and thrive regardless of race, ethnicity, cultural background gender identify, sexual identity, ideology, neurodiversity, or physical capability.