Hello There! My name name is Valerie Paredes. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of California. I specialize in working with individuals coping with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions. My experience includes working in outpatient settings in non-profit organizations and directly operated government clinics. I have worked in community-based mental health treating adults dealing with severe mental illness and co-occurring disorders. I am passionate about helping individuals confront and overcome their mental health challenges to begin to live a better life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
During our first session, we will start with brief introductions. Our first session is the perfect time for us to get to know each other. We will get the chance to explore what you would like to get out of therapy. We will have an open discussion about specific challenges you are facing and work collaboratively to create a uniquely tailored treatment plan that addresses your mental health needs. The goal is to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can learn skills to make you better equipped to manage your stressors and symptoms of your condition.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths as a provider is the ability to work with diverse populations coping with severe mental illnesses and helping them cope adaptively with their mental health condition. I provide a safe non-judgmental space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I cultivate an environment where you will be heard, understood, and affirmed. I present as compassionate and empathetic. My therapeutic approach is eclectic and tailored to address your unique needs utilizing evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy , or others to help support your unique mental health needs and foster hope and resiliency.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I am passionate about working with individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, and other related mental health conditions. I understand that mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety can impact mood, thinking, feeling, behavior, and interfere with one's daily activities. This can make it difficult to engage in meaningful roles in society. However, with a tailored treatment plan, we can work towards growth and healing to begin to take an active role in your life. You will learn new ways of coping, start to engage in meaningful activities, and create a more fulfilling life for yourself.
About Valerie Paredes
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VirtualMy treatment methods
Eclectic
I have utilized Eclectic method in tailoring treatment plans in order to address the unique needs of the individual. I am flexible in my approach. I use different tools from a variety of modalities to help clients reach their full potential.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I have utilized CBT over the past few years in treating individuals with depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. I have guided individuals to evaluate unhelpful thinking patterns that often lead to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviors. Through evaluation of unhelpful thinking patterns, one can establish new balanced thoughts to reduce and manage depressive and anxiety symptoms along with other mood symptoms.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have utilized DBT in treating individuals dealing with emotional dysregulation issues to help them manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I incorporate a variety of different skills which include mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional dysregulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to help individuals cope more adaptively.
Person-centered (Rogerian)
I have utilized Person-centered method in providing individuals a safe non-judgmental environment where they can take lead in their self-discovery. I provide support and actively listen to the individual's perspective of their issues. I provide empathy throughout treatment to facilitate and increase the individual's self-understanding and personal growth.
Strength-Based
I have utilized Strength-Based method to help individuals draw upon their inner strengths that may already exist and guide them to identifying their own solutions to their problems. Through this method, individuals become resourceful, improve their resiliency, and have an overall improved view of themselves and their problems.