Who am I?
My name is Pamela Valdez. I am a bilingual (Spanish/English) Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 10 years of experience. I offer trauma informed online Christian counseling services for teens and adult clients living in the state of New York.
Education?
I earned my undergraduate degree in Psychology from The City College of New York and my Master of Science in Social Work (MSW) from Hunter College - Silberman School of Social Work.
Background?
My professional background includes extensive work in various units in a children’s hospital, including the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), antepartum/postpartum units, and providing integrated mental health care in a primary medical care setting.
Specialties?
Throughout my career, I have worked with clients from diverse backgrounds, including those dealing with trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, body image, prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal women's mental health, relationship issues, and life transitions.
More About Me
I was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States at the age of 6. I was raised in Brooklyn, NY and consider myself a New Yorker for life! I am happily married, the mother to a wonderful son, and a servant at my local church. I came to faith in Jesus Christ around the age of 18 and have been serving the Lord faithfully ever since. I have a strong passion for singing, writing, and reading. I love nature, trees, the beach, and Christmas.
For most of my life I knew I wanted to study psychology. I have always been drawn to better understand the mind, thinking, doing, and feeling. I am delighted whenever I am granted the opportunity to sit across another human and learn about their story, the circumstances that have shaped their inner being, and the obstacles that they have overcome. The strength and resiliency found in valleys always captivates me. I feel privileged to be able to sit across another person, just like me, who is strengthened by acknowledging their vulnerabilities. In our weakness we understand that God is strong.
I too have previously been in a space of emotional disconnection where I avoided the obvious state of my emotions and lived under the implications of denial and avoidance. In turn, I would often resist and minimize my own pain. Too long I lived under the false ideology that “I needed to be strong” and that acknowledging that I had been hurt was a sign of weakness. But I discovered the power behind emotional honesty, the readiness and capability to feel and name ALL my feelings. It is in this freedom that we get to understand that God does not condemn anyone for feeling and that embracing your pain launches you towards self-discovery and purpose!
I am committed to support you in re-establishing emotional, relational, and spiritual safety through the power of confession, acceptance, and belonging. Allow me to embark on a journey alongside you through the challenges and the life-altering, unforeseen circumstances that are overwhelming you and feel so debilitating.