Hi! I’m dr valesia Ho…
I’m a licensed psychologist in the state of California (PSY31419). I provide therapy that is grounded in evidence-based research while honoring the uniqueness of your lived experience.
As a multi-racial therapist, I prioritize a culturally sensitive and contextual approach in my work with individuals and couples. Your treatment will be specifically tailored to you/your relationship.
Therapy is a powerful and transformational process but can be challenging and downright painful at times. I meet moments of exploration, struggle, growth, and evolution with compassion, empathy, curiosity and utmost respect. I blend a warm approach with attentive listening and take an active and direct role when needed. I offer reflections, pose thought-provoking questions, and encourage exploration of difficult topics that may be tempting to avoid. It is a privilege to support you as you navigate the complexities of being human.
I have also been known to lean into lightness, humor and enjoy reminding people of their inherit strengths and resilience (these things can often feel hard to connect with in challenging moments).
It is important for me to co-create a space that honors that we are all doing the best that we can with the tools that we have and that we all have room to improve, evolve and grow.
I genuinely feel called to this work and appreciate each person who has allowed me to support them on their journey.
Our treatment will be…
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Personalized
Our sessions will be dedicated to understanding your current struggles and creating a collaborative and personalized treatment plan to fit your/your relationship’s unique needs and goals for therapy.
I adapt pace, intensity and focus of sessions based on your progress and feedback. I utilize a compassionately directive approach (I am here to offer guidance and support). I also recognize that your life happens outside of our sessions and empower you to incorporate skills and techniques in your day to day life.
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Integrative & Hollistic
Enhancing mental wellness is multifaceted. While sharing one's pain may provide some relief, I emphasize utilization and integration of beneficial evidence based practices.
This includes but is not limited to: mindfulness, self-compassion, learning effective communication skills, distress tolerance, understanding attachment styles and other techniques to help align your life with your values.
I want to support mental, relational, emotional, physical and social wellness in our work together.
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Contextual
You/your partnership exist(s) within a broader context that includes your upbringing, past experiences, culture, and environment.
I recognize that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by your interactions with others and the systems in which we exist.
I welcome conversations on the impact that culture, family dynamics, oppression, marginalization and intersecting identities have on your understanding of self and the world.
How I approach my work
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Transdiagnostic Approach
Targets common underlying processes among different mental health conditions instead of focusing on individual symptoms, making therapy more efficient and comprehensive.
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third wave cbt
Incorporates mindfulness, acceptance, and values-based approaches to help individuals develop a more compassionate and flexible relationship with their thoughts and emotions, aiming for greater psychological well-being and personal growth.
Learn more about third wave CBT HERE
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behavioral skill building
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Trauma-Informed
An approach that emphasizes understanding and addressing the impact of traumatic experiences (personal and systemic) on an individual's mental health, focusing on safety, empowerment, and collaboration in the therapeutic process.
Learn more about trauma-informed therapy HERE
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Schema Therapy
Aims to identify and address deep-seated core beliefs formed in childhood/with attachment figures hat contribute to emotional distress and interpersonal difficulties, integrating cognitive, behavioral, and experiential techniques for lasting change.
More about me….
I hold a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from The Wright Institute, a masters in social work from California State University East Bay and a bachelor’s degree in psychology and neuroscience from the University of San Francisco. I completed my doctoral internship at DSH-Napa State where I worked on an inpatient Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) unit with a focus on the treatment of complex trauma. I completed my postdoctoral fellowship at The Clinic, where I specialized in evidence-based treatments for sexual health concerns for both individuals and couples and sleep issues. I am a Certified Sex Therapist though the American Association of Sexuality Educators, counselors and therapists (AASECT).
I have over 6+ years of experience supervising graduate level students (Berkeley Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Clinic, Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinic) and postdoctoral fellows (The Clinic). I value mentoring future generations of clinical psychologists and feel that my presence as a clinical supervisor of color allows student clinicians to see themselves and their clients reflected in their training.
In addition to my clinical work, my Thursdays are allocated to stepping into the role of Co-Director at Bay Area Trauma Recovery Clinic, after working with Dr. Matt McKay and Dr. Robyn Wasler closely for several years. BATRCs is a non-profit, sliding scale training clinic that offers evidence-based interventions (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Eye Movement Rapid Desensitization, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Prolonged Exposure, Written Exposure Therapy) in the treatment of complex and single incident trauma. I have a deep-rooted connection to community mental health, and ensuring that quality care is accessible to underserved populations is a fundamental value of mine.
Another avenue that facilitated accessibility of high quality evidence-based care included my time on the consulting team for the Lover App. This FDA-approved application values accessibility of quality sex therapy interventions in the treatment of common sexual health concerns by interacting with a digital platform. I was an original content creator and developer.
I have taught courses in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Principles of Therapeutic Change and workshops on ACT for Interpersonal problems, schema therapy, transdiagnostic approaches to treatment, Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi), sexuality and trauma, and the treatment of sleep issues with EMDR and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
Most therapists have been trained to remain neutral and to keep personal beliefs and biases out of the therapy room to support co-creating a safe non-judgmental space. In many circumstances, this has become second nature for me, a place of familiarity and a core value in my work. As I embody social justice practices not only in my personal life but in my professional world - it has become more important for me to acknowledge and address systemic inequalities, power dynamics, and cultural influences in therapeutic practice, teaching and supervision. I promote healing that considers historical and social contexts in my client’s and students’ lives.
I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, and am committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and affirming space where people of all skin colors, ethnicities, genders/identities, sexual preferences, religious beliefs, economic statuses, abilities, body sizes, and any other differences are supported and respected on their unique journey towards healing, growth and learning.
Land acknowledgment
I live and practice on Ancestral Muwekma Ohlone Territory - located on the unceded ethnohistoric territory of the ancestral and traditional land of the Jalquin (hal-keen) / Yrgin (eer-gen) Chochenyo-Ohlone-speaking People, and the successors of the historic sovereign Verona Band of Alameda County. Presently identified as the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area.
It is vitally important that I not only recognize the history of the land on which I live and work, but also recognize that the Muwekma Ohlone People are alive and flourishing members of this and broader Bay Area communities today.
In gratitude…
