Compassionate guidance through life transitions

Andrea Lapinski is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in clinical and forensic services for individuals, children, and families. At Love and Alvarez Psychology, she provides parenting plan and custody evaluations, family therapy, custody coaching, parent coordination, mediation, and counseling for children, adolescents, and adults.

Andrea brings a depth of experience working with families navigating high-conflict situations and significant life transitions. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based practice and a balanced, thoughtful perspective, helping clients move toward resolution while prioritizing the emotional well-being of children and family systems.

Her clinical expertise includes working with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship challenges, and complex family dynamics. She has extensive experience supporting individuals navigating grief and loss, helping clients process difficult emotions while building resilience and meaning after significant life changes. Andrea also has experience working with members of the LGBTQ+ community, providing an affirming, respectful space that supports identity, relationships, and overall mental health. She integrates strong clinical insight with practical problem-solving to help clients build stability, resilience, and healthier relationships.

Andrea’s background includes extensive work in medical social work, where she provided clinical care in pediatric inpatient, intensive care, and outpatient settings. She has supervised clinical teams, trained graduate-level social work students, and developed psychoeducational programs for patients and families. Her early career work in child protection and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams continues to guide her careful, child-centered approach to custody and family work.

In addition to her clinical practice, Andrea serves as an adjunct professor and field supervisor in a Master of Social Work program, where she teaches ethics, clinical practice, and applied research while mentoring emerging clinicians.

Andrea holds a Master of Social Work from New York University and a Master of Public Health from San Diego State University. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, with additional licensure pending in Pennsylvania and Hawaii. She has completed specialized training in custody and parenting plan evaluations, intimate partner violence, and ongoing updates in child custody evaluation practices.

• Areas of Focus
  • Parenting Plan & Custody Evaluations
  • Parent Coordination & Custody Coaching
  • Mediation & High-Conflict Family Resolution
  • Family Therapy
  • Child, Adolescent & Adult Counseling
  • Grief & Loss
  • Trauma & Anxiety
  • LGBTQ+ Affirming Care

CA License Number: LCSW 135064