Valo Gonzalez
I am an LCSW and a military veteran specializing in trauma and addiction. I believe that effective therapy must be a safe foundation, built on unwavering commitment and ethical practice.
I don't believe in endless "waltzing" with problems; I offer a direct path to functional results, honoring your capacity for resilience and demanding commitment to your own well-being.
My practice is a collaborative space where rapport is established through trust while a custom plan of treatment is mutually established specifically for resolving resistance to your wellness and achieving long-term stability.
First session
The first session is built on mutual assessment and establishing safety. My primary task is to evaluate your needs, focusing on your current level of stability, immediate risks, and personal goals for therapy. Your primary task is to evaluate your response to me—to assess whether you feel safe, heard, and that a foundation of trust can be established here. We will leave the session with a clear understanding of the goals and methods we will use, and a shared agreement that this is a safe space for you to do the most difficult work of your life.
Strengths
My greatest strength is the ability to maintain unwavering focus and calm amidst crisis. My background, refined by military service and years in high-acuity clinical settings, allows me to quickly focus on core facts and partner with you to coherently organize your thoughts, energy, and plans for wellness. I don't believe in endless "waltzing" with problems; I offer a direct path to functional results, honoring your capacity for resilience and demanding commitment to your own well-being.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are veterans and professionals dealing with chronic trauma or addiction who feel blocked by chaos. You are capable, but need a decisive, practical blueprint. We target core issues (PTSD, substance misuse) using MI/CBT to build structure and end emotional exhaustion. You are ready for consensual action and functional results through true partnership.
Treatment methods
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing (MI) is central to my practice because it honors the client's autonomy and expertise in their own life. I utilize MI to establish a non-confrontational, collaborative space where clients can explore their own ambivalence about change, whether related to substance use, chronic health issues, or complex life transitions. Rather than imposing advice, we work together to identify and strengthen their own internal motivation for moving from survival toward thriving, aligning perfectly with the principles of harm reduction and client agency.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I apply CBT techniques to manage the internal dialogue and fixed thought patterns that maintain anxiety and depression. This involves actively working with clients to identify automatic negative thoughts (ANTs) and replacing them with reality-based alternatives through cognitive restructuring and reality testing. The process also uses behavioral activation to directly challenge inertia by encouraging engagement in small, positive activities. CBT provides a structured, goal-oriented framework for clients who need decisive steps to stabilize their mood and improve daily function.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy
My practice is deeply trauma-informed, focused on helping clients process the emotional and cognitive impacts of past adversity (e.g., violence, loss, incarceration, or complex trauma). I use principles from Exposure and Processing to help clients identify specific triggers that lead to intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and anxiety. The ultimate goal is to move beyond mere grounding techniques by promoting emotional regulation and cognitive reappraisal of the traumatic event, allowing the client to safely address the past and refocus their energy on building a functional, purpose-driven life in the present
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an essential, skills-based modality I use for clients experiencing intense mood instability, chronic distress, and difficulty maintaining functional relationships. I focus on teaching the core modules of Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance to provide clients with tangible, practical tools to manage crisis situations and interrupt impulsive or self-destructive behaviors. This systematic approach empowers clients to improve their Interpersonal Effectiveness and move beyond feelings of chronic emptiness and futility, thereby achieving a greater sense of self-mastery and stability in their lives.
Location
Virtual sessions
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 123327