About
- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Communication skills
About Susana
Susana Valdez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California with ten years of clinical experience. She helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family problems, and the effects of trauma and abuse. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
She focuses on practical steps people can use at home and in relationships. That includes communication strategies, ways to manage intense feelings, and approaches to reduce day-to-day stress. She also helps people who are coping with separation, blended family strains, immigration-related stress, and problems with trust and attachment.
Susana uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide sessions. She works with each person to identify patterns that cause repeated conflict or distress. Then she helps plan small changes that can reduce tension and improve interactions at home.
Her approach is straightforward and problem-focused. Sessions include talking through recent events, practicing new ways of relating, and reviewing what worked between meetings. She also addresses issues such as substance use, domestic violence histories, guilt and shame, and feelings of isolation.
People who choose to work with Susana typically want clear tools they can use between appointments. She supports clients in setting realistic goals and tracking progress. To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How sessions work
Evidence-based approaches and online work
Susana uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques to address problems like anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship conflict. One relevant approach focuses on skills training for emotion regulation and communication. This involves learning specific steps to name feelings, reduce reactivity, and practice clearer ways of speaking with others. Another common method she draws on targets patterns of attachment and relational expectations. That work looks at how past experiences shape current bonds and helps people try different responses in everyday interactions.Choosing the right approach is part of the process. She will work with each person to assess needs, set goals, and try methods that fit their situation. The plan can change as clients notice what helps or what feels too difficult, and decisions are made together.
Confirm current session formats before booking since the profile does not list them. In general, online work can make it easier to fit sessions into busy home and work schedules, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce time spent traveling. Therapists help clients find a rhythm of appointments and homework that fits daily life.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of family concerns does she help with?
She works with individuals on family problems such as blended family issues, divorce and separation, and communication problems.
How does she approach relationship and interpersonal issues?
Sessions focus on practical communication strategies, identifying unhelpful patterns, and building better ways to relate to others.
How much experience does she have?
She has ten years of experience as a clinician working with stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in California and practices from that state.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can people outside the United States work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
What formats are used for sessions?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as the profile does not specify specific session formats.
How are fees handled and what is the cost structure?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.