Valerie Navarro
Hi, I’m Valerie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in supporting young adults navigating anxiety, stress, and major life transitions. I understand that young adulthood can come with unique pressures, including career uncertainty, relationship challenges, identity exploration, and learning how to balance responsibilities while still caring for yourself. I work to create a welcoming and supportive environment where clients can show up as their authentic selves. I help young adults better understand their emotions, develop practical coping tools, and build confidence as they navigate relationships, career goals, and personal growth.
Hi, I’m Valerie, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who specializes in supporting young adults navigating anxiety, stress, and major life transitions.
First session
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a comfortable and supportive space. We will talk about what has been going on in your life, what challenges you are facing, and what you hope therapy can help with. Starting therapy can feel nerve-wracking, and that is completely normal. You do not need to have everything figured out or know exactly what to say. I will guide the conversation and help you feel supported while we begin exploring goals and next steps together.
Strengths
I believe one of my strengths is balancing compassion with gentle encouragement for growth. I validate and support clients through difficult experiences while also helping them develop practical coping strategies and new perspectives. I enjoy helping clients connect the dots between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, while teaching skills that help them feel more in control and confident navigating stress, anxiety, and life transitions.
Ideal clients
My ideal clients are young adults who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, self-doubt, or major life changes. They may struggle with boundaries, people-pleasing, or the impact of past experiences. I work best with those open to self-exploration and ready to build insight, strengthen coping skills, and create a more grounded, confident, and authentic version of themselves over time. If this sounds like you, we may be a good therapeutic fit!
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a primary foundation in my practice, particularly when working with anxiety, stress, life transitions, and self-esteem concerns. I help clients identify patterns between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and support them in recognizing and challenging unhelpful thinking patterns that may be contributing to distress. In session, I incorporate cognitive restructuring, psychoeducation, and practical skill-building to help clients develop healthier coping strategies and improve emotional regulation. I often collaborate with clients to explore how their thoughts influence their reactions and help them practice more balanced, realistic thinking. I aim to make CBT approachable and personalized by using relatable examples and structured tools that clients can apply in their daily lives.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I integrate DBT-informed interventions to support clients who struggle with emotional intensity, distress tolerance, and interpersonal challenges. My experience with DBT focuses on teaching practical skills that help clients manage overwhelming emotions, reduce impulsive reactions, and improve communication in relationships. I frequently incorporate mindfulness, emotional regulation strategies, distress tolerance skills, and validation techniques into sessions. I work collaboratively with clients to help them understand their emotional experiences while also building confidence in their ability to respond to stress in healthier ways. I often tailor DBT skills to fit each client’s needs, helping them apply these tools to real-life situations such as school, work, and relationship stressors.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I incorporate mindfulness and somatic-based interventions to help clients better understand how stress and emotions show up in both the mind and body. I have experience using grounding techniques, guided imagery, breathing exercises, and body-awareness strategies to help clients regulate their nervous system and reduce anxiety symptoms. I often provide psychoeducation about the connection between physical sensations and emotional experiences, which can be especially helpful for clients who feel overwhelmed or disconnected from their emotions. These interventions are frequently integrated alongside cognitive and skills-based approaches to support whole-person healing and increase clients’ ability to feel present, calm, and in control during stressful situations.
EMDR
I use EMDR to help clients work through experiences that may still feel emotionally “stuck” or continue to influence their thoughts, emotions, relationships, or reactions in the present. I take a collaborative and paced approach, making sure clients feel prepared and have grounding and coping skills before beginning deeper processing. EMDR can be especially helpful for addressing painful memories, triggers, and negative beliefs about yourself while helping you develop a greater sense of safety, confidence, and emotional freedom.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
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Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 130154