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DV Portrait of Dominic Valdes

Dominic Valdes

Relationship-focused therapist with practical tools

LCSW California

Experience
17 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship
Approaches
Gottman Method, Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Dominic

About Dominic

Dominic Valdes is a California licensed clinical social worker who focuses on practical, relationship-centered therapy. He brings 17 years of experience helping people manage anxiety, stress, depression, and intimacy-related concerns.

Background and approach

Dominic emphasizes a respectful, nonjudgmental approach that honors each person's identity and experiences. He often uses the Gottman Method alongside client-centered work to address relationship patterns and communication.

He also draws on CBT and DBT skills for managing mood, anger, and compulsive behaviors. EMDR may be part of trauma work when appropriate.

Dominic commonly helps people facing sexual identity questions, gender dysphoria, and issues connected to kink, polyamory, or alternative sexual cultures. He also supports those dealing with abandonment, attachment struggles, infidelity, and addiction-related problems.

His practice includes concerns related to HIV/AIDS and men’s issues. Sessions focus on concrete skills and clearer understanding of patterns that get in the way.

Clients can expect gentle directness, practical tools, and attention to values and safety when discussing intimacy or risky behavior. Dominic works with clients by phone, video, live chat, or text messaging.

He aims to make therapy fit into busy lives while helping people build better ways of coping, relating, and making choices.

Approaches that guide online sessions

Dominic draws on the Gottman Method to help people notice and change harmful interaction patterns and improve how they communicate. That approach focuses on specific behaviors and conversational skills to reduce conflict and increase understanding. He also uses Client-Centered Therapy, which emphasizes meeting a person where they are and shaping the work around their goals and values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used to identify unhelpful thinking and build practical coping strategies for anxiety, depression, and anger.

Choosing the right method happens together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, history, and what feels helpful, then try approaches that match those needs. The plan can change as progress is made and new priorities emerge.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video lets people read facial cues and practice conversations in real time. Phone can work when bandwidth is limited or for short check-ins. Live chat and text support provide brief check-ins, step-by-step coaching, or ongoing tracking between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or caregiving schedules while using methods that suit the issue being addressed.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Dominic help with?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, addictions, and self-esteem concerns. He also focuses on topics like abandonment, attachment, infidelity, and challenges tied to kink or non-monogamy.
What is his therapeutic style like?
He blends a relationship-centered approach with practical skills work. Sessions are respectful and direct, aimed at understanding patterns and building tools people can use day to day.
How much clinical experience does he have?
Dominic brings 17 years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and relational concerns. That background informs both skill-based interventions and trauma work.
What credentials and location are listed?
He holds a Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential (LCSW) in California and practices from that state.
Which languages are offered and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. He is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Therapy is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTRelationship issuesTrauma and abuseDepression

Also works with

AddictionsIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteem

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureCommitment issuesControl issuesDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsGender dysphoriaHIV / AIDSInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyMen's issuesNarcissismPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Sex addictionSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Gottman MethodMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

17+ years

Licensed in

California

Languages

English