Hello! I’m Aida Valerio-Lerner. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who found my calling 11 years ago having discovered that I wanted to provide people with a therapeutic space to heal, grow, and ultimately transform. Are you going through a personal challenge or major life transition? Do you need a safe space to have your experiences affirmed and validated? Do you feel overwhelmed by your emotions and in need of support? Have you considered speaking to someone but are unsure of how to begin? Wherever you are in your journey, I want to congratulate you on exploring possibilities to receive help. Therapy, like anything new or unknown, can feel scary. When Wendy was learning how to fly in Peter Pan, her fear of “what if I fall?” was met with Peter’s response of “oh, darling, what if you fly?” Not only did she fly, but she also transformed! My therapeutic approach is gentle, warm, and trauma-informed to ensure your comfort every step of the way. I listen attentively and non-judgmentally, welcoming your authentic self. You can express yourself in English and/or Spanish as I am fluent in both languages. Together, we can overcome anything.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Therapy is a journey where you explore imbalances and ways to communicate and resolve them. This journey can be hard at times and there are no quick fixes! But once committed, I hope that moments of peace, faith, and truth are felt! You can expect sessions to be used to deconstruct notions of imbalances and find areas of strength and freedom. You can expect commitment and caring listening from me as well as positive energy. I hope this is felt and it brings some clarity on your decision to begin this journey!
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
I use a strengths-based, trauma focused, and interpersonal approach to therapy. I utilize methods of yoga, nature, and meditation in sessions, as well. To me, these resources are vital to the frame work of therapy. Remembering that therapy is art and art is communication is a tool I always use.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have a holistic approach to therapy. I am a bilingual and bicultural therapist and when I work with individuals or families, I think about how systems impact race, racism, and gender identity. I believe in allowing space for a client's identity to be heard. My passion is bringing quality and affordable mental health services to communities that otherwise are unable to afford such services.