Heather "Dez" Valdez

I believe that the mind and body are complementary parts of the self, and that our wellness is impacted by our social, cultural, and physical environments. I often take a psychosocial approach and work to help identify and deconstruct systems of oppression and the impact these systems have on our mental health and wellness. I integrate this into the therapeutic process which I believe can be critical for healing. I also incorporate trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, harm reduction, relational, solution-focused and narrative approaches into my practice, as well the integration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. I have worked extensively with LGBTQIA+ populations and communities of color, both of which I identify with. I have expertise in queer identities and am poly-aware and kink-friendly. My priority is taking a collaborative and nonjudgmental approach to therapy and creating a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. Psychotherapy services with me can be in the form of brief or long-term psychotherapy, Ketamine-Assisted Therapy treatment, and/or psychedelic integration.