In-Person in San Francisco, CA 94110
Online in California
I know what it feels like to be frustrated by the struggle. As someone who became a therapist in my late thirties after going through my own "school of hard knocks," I sought to learn the tools to help alleviate mental blocks and suffering, as well as ease the pathway toward leading a fulfilling, value-based life. Now with over ten years experience in private practice, my clients relate that our work together has helped them overcome longstanding issues and achieve their goals while accelerating learning, healing and growth.
Client Focus
Session Format: Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior, Young Adult
Demographic Expertise: Asian, Black / African American, Buddhist, Hindu, Hispanic / Latino, Jewish, LGBTQ+, Middle Eastern, Muslim, Native American, Pacific Islander, Persons with Disabilities, Women clients.
Languages: English
Treatment Approach
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Biopsychosocial
- Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
- Drama Therapy
- Eclectic
- Existential/Humanistic
- Experiential
- Feminist
- Hypnotherapy
- Integrative
- Internal Family Systems
- Multicultural
- Self Psychology
- Somatic
- Transpersonal
Approach Description: My approach is integrative, compassionate and insight-based with a foundation in mindfulness cognitive behavioral therapies including ACT and DBT. In addition, I weave in somatic attunement, parts work, attachment theory as well as Ericksonian/NLP trance techniques for more experiential explorations. We ground the session by beginning with a couple of minutes of guided or silent meditation. Then I invite you to share how you are feeling and if you have a particular topic to discuss. I believe in a present-moment focus that considers past history and relational patterns through the lens of how it impacts the here and now. Rather than "get into the weeds" of content (which often just reinforces over-identification with suboptimal narratives), I may gently pull you to another level of observation. For example, by grounding in body awareness, or by making a meta-comment such as noting an incongruence between emotional expressiveness and intensity of subject matter. I consider the therapeutic alliance to be a vital model in repair and sustenance of a healthy relational model. So unlike polite everyday conversation, we may talk about how we are going to talk about something; or name uncertainty or discomfort that feels present i.e. the "elephants in the room." In this way, we enact a dynamic which encourages expansion of awareness into mental blindspots. I endeavor to hold a space that is simultaneously boundaried and steeped in unconditional positive regard. In session, we may experience moment by moment shifts from the cognitive to the emotional or felt sense; from the here and now to emergent memories; from focused to more diffuse awareness. These shifts follow what you as the client are presenting as you move through your process, and are there to support you in your healing and growth.
Education & Credentials
Josie Valderrama PsyD
- Female, Gender Fluid
- License # 27913
- Licensed in California
- Practicing Since 2015
Education: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (2014) California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), Alliant International University, San Francisco. Masters in Clinical Psychology (2011) CSPP. Bachelor's of Arts, History (1995) Occidental College, Los Angeles. Year abroad, University of Sussex (1993).
Finances
Fees
- Average Session Fee $200
- Affordable sliding scale therapy: apply if you may be eligible.
- Limited number of sliding scale slots at $100, $125, $150 and $175 available first come first serve to those with stated need.
- Accepts Insurance
- Accept insurance via Headway billing service including: Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross California, Blue Shield California, Cigna, Carelon Behavioral Health, Quest Behavioral Health, Magellan, United Healthcare Medicare Advantage, Anthem EAP Bank of America.
Josie Valderrama Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available In-Person in San Francisco, CA 94110
- Available Online for residents of California
- Online Therapy Details: HIPAA-compliant Zoom video call
My practice focuses on addressing the modern malady of anxiety, particularly for intersectional folks. We address aspects and levels of the therapeutic work as they come up. Embracing self-compassion to improve the inner relationship and heal the heart. Gently challenging self-limiting beliefs and old programming. Exploring activities and exercises to promote resiliency, self-efficacy and a sense of peace. Utilizing client strengths like spiritual beliefs and other values-based processes. Psychoeducation to understand how avoidance, while often employed as a temporary salve, in the ends perpetuates the anxiety cycle. Parts work including rapprochement with the inner child, connecting more deeply with vulnerable aspects and bolstering boundaries to protect and repair neglected needs. Discussing how secure and insecure attachment types and associated relationship patterns evolve from childhood origins, and how to work with the anxious-avoidant dynamic if present. Somatic attunement to increase awareness and a sense of safety. Mindfulness as an overarching concept which promotes insight, meta-awareness, integration and easefulness. And a multicultural, feminist approach which looks at every individual as unique and their own ultimate source of authority.
Clients tend to identify within alt communities related to gender, sexual & relational diversity, cultural diversity, and neurodiversity. The therapeutic framework is one-on-one hour-long sessions for individual adults. Many clients find resonance with labels like overachiever, perfectionist, model minority and the like. We work in a collaborative and nonjudgmental manner for both immediate results and longer term impacts.
I am a founding member of Bay Area Open Minds, a network of therapists affirming gender, sexual & relational diversity. With Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) as one of my foundational approaches, I have authored ACT self-help books including a guided journal. I am a California Psychological Association Research Committee member, co-facilitating graduate student support groups with a BIPOC and LGBTQ focus. For my doctoral dissertation, I published an original Problematic Smartphone Use Scale. I have also been a subject matter expert for the California psychology licensing exam.
Filipino-Scandinavian American, I am inclusive and strive to understand your unique perspective. I believe in a non-pathologizing approach which is affirming of client strengths and oriented toward catalyzing real-world positive outcomes.
Clients tend to identify within alt communities related to gender, sexual & relational diversity, cultural diversity, and neurodiversity. The therapeutic framework is one-on-one hour-long sessions for individual adults. Many clients find resonance with labels like overachiever, perfectionist, model minority and the like. We work in a collaborative and nonjudgmental manner for both immediate results and longer term impacts.
I am a founding member of Bay Area Open Minds, a network of therapists affirming gender, sexual & relational diversity. With Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) as one of my foundational approaches, I have authored ACT self-help books including a guided journal. I am a California Psychological Association Research Committee member, co-facilitating graduate student support groups with a BIPOC and LGBTQ focus. For my doctoral dissertation, I published an original Problematic Smartphone Use Scale. I have also been a subject matter expert for the California psychology licensing exam.
Filipino-Scandinavian American, I am inclusive and strive to understand your unique perspective. I believe in a non-pathologizing approach which is affirming of client strengths and oriented toward catalyzing real-world positive outcomes.