Portland Therapy Center
Valenca Valenzuela

Valenca Valenzuela (she/her)

Clinical Social Work Associate

MSW, CSWA

I provide a warm, engaging, and authentic space as we work together to find meaning, balance, and healing through life's many transitions.

Client Status

accepting clients

Contact

503-567-8407

1111 E Burnside St., Ste. 100

Portland, OR 97214

Email Website

At a Glance

Me

Rate: $85-$145

Provides free initial consultation

Practicing Since: 2012

Languages: English

Services

  • Individual
  • Family
  • Group
  • Teen

Insurances Accepted

  • Out of Pocket
  • Out of Network
  • OHP CareOregon/HealthShare

My Ideal Client

My ideal clients are navigating the intricate terrain of life's transitions, seeking support for grief and loss, identity exploration, the complexities of death anxiety and existential crises, and those who carry the weight of intergenerational trauma. In our therapeutic journey, we delve into the profound quest for meaning, and explore the depths of existence. My client's cultivate presence, find ways to engage with life authentically, hope to restore balance, and find life's purpose.

My Approach to Helping

My approach to therapy is deeply rooted in existential-humanistic principles, providing a safe and collaborative environment for individuals seeking transformation and rebirth. I employ trauma-informed care and view clients' experiences through a grief-informed lens, embracing a holistic perspective that acknowledges the interconnectedness of emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Together, we explore somatic awareness and the nervous system, facilitating an intuitive understanding of self. At the core of my therapeutic method is the cultivation of authentic and meaningful relationships. I view my role as that of a mindful companion supporting you on your journey. I will follow your lead, while remaining curious, engaged, and honest in what I notice. Within this relational space, my goal is to guide individuals towards personal transformation and help them discover their unique path to restoring balance and finding meaning in life.

Why I Became a Therapist

My path to becoming a therapist was driven by a profound personal journey. My own experiences with grief and loss, intertwined with intergenerational trauma, ignited a passionate desire to support others through their unique life challenges. As a therapist, I find immense fulfillment in helping individuals navigate the intricate tapestry of life's transitions. I view each transition as a profound life cycle in itself, a portal of transformation from one chapter to the next. My background in social work, coupled with my deep-rooted passion for grief and loss, is driven by a vision to transform how society engages with grief, fostering a more compassionate and empathetic approach. My existential approach to therapy serves as a powerful tool to shift feelings of isolation, death anxiety, and existential confusion into a journey of meaning-making, balance, and transformation. I'm here to guide you on your path towards greater understanding, resilience, and a deeper connection to life.

Techniques I Use

Specialties

  • Existential External link

    I believe that existential therapy offers a transformative path from feelings of loneliness, death anxiety, and being lost to one of meaning making, balance, and personal transformation. It allows me to guide individuals on their unique journeys, helping them find purpose and understanding in the face of life's transitions and challenges. I have a background as a social worker, death doula, and life-cycle educator, which lends itself to helping others navigate existential dread.

  • Holistic External link

    I believe in a holistic approach to therapy. Working with the mind, body, and spirit, can help folks to feel more authentically aligned with oneself. I have a background in understanding body movement, nervous system regulation, and like to combine somatic awareness with other therapeutic interventions. By exploring emotions, body feelings, and existential meaning, I help folks to feel more balanced and whole.

  • Relational  External link

    I strongly believe in an authentic and collaborative therapeutic approach. Through using our relationship in the present moment, I help clients to reflect upon themselves, feel validated, and offer a safe and healthy connection while helping clients to work on life's challenges.

  • Transpersonal External link

    I like to help client's explore the inner beliefs that one holds in order to gain fuller insight and relationship to oneself. As we explore spirituality and consciousness, growth and transformation, meaning and purpose, I hope to provide a deepening of connection to oneself.

Issues I Treat

Specialties

  • Loss or Grief External link

    I have spent the last 15 years sitting with those living with loss. I am passionate about providing grief-informed care and bring a wealth of experience with me. I am not here to save you from your pain, but to witness and hold space for you to move through your grief. My greatest purpose in life is to help those who are feeling grief after a profound loss.

Contact Valenca

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