Dominic Valdes, LCSW

Licensed in California · 17 years in practice

Dominic Valdes is a licensed clinical social worker who uses a practical, down-to-earth approach to help people handle stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.

License and registration

LCSW, California: 71010 · expires November 2027
NPI: 1518242387 · national provider identifier
Years in practice: 17
Languages: English

Details are as listed on the therapist's public professional profile. You can check any license with the state board and any NPI with the national registry.

About Dominic

Dominic Valdes is a licensed clinical social worker who uses a practical, down-to-earth approach to help people handle stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. He often works with clients navigating issues related to sexual identity, intimacy, and substance use. Dominic aims to make therapy feel clear and useful from the first session.

He focuses on real-life skills people can use between sessions. That includes coping tools for anxiety, strategies for rebuilding trust after infidelity, and ways to manage addictive patterns.

Background and approach

He pays attention to how attachment and abandonment experiences show up in relationships and daily life. Dominic draws on a mix of methods to fit each person's needs. He blends client-centered listening with structured techniques to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

For trauma and deep emotional wounds, he incorporates approaches that help process painful memories and reduce their hold on day-to-day life. People who come to Dominic often want straightforward plans they can try right away. Sessions include practical exercises, communication skills for dating or partnerships, and steps to reduce isolation.

He also addresses concerns around kink, non-monogamy, gender matters, and HIV-related stress in a nonjudgmental way. With 17 years of practice in California, Dominic brings experience helping people from many backgrounds. He aims to build strength, clearer self-understanding, and healthier patterns, while respecting each person's identity and goals.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Dominic lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
LGBT
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Depression
Addictions
Intimacy-related issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Abandonment
Attachment issues
BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
Commitment issues
Control issues
Drug and alcohol addiction
Family problems
Gender dysphoria
HIV / AIDS
Infidelity
Isolation / loneliness
Jealousy
Men's issues
Narcissism
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Post-traumatic stress
Prejudice and discrimination
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Sex addiction
Sexual dysfunction
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Young adult issues

Approaches Dominic names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist lists and does not check training records.

Online support

Approaches and online options that fit your life

Dominic uses client-centered work and cognitive behavioral therapy to help people identify patterns and try new strategies. Client-centered work means sessions focus on the person's concerns and goals, using listening and reflection to build trust. CBT looks at thoughts and behaviors and offers concrete steps to reduce anxiety, depressive symptoms, and unhelpful reactions.

He also uses dialectical behavior therapy when emotions feel overwhelming or when people need specific coping skills. DBT teaches tools for regulating emotions, managing distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can help with anger, relationship conflict, and impulsive behaviors.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dominic will talk through your needs, goals, and preferences and help decide which methods to try first. That plan can change as therapy progresses and as new priorities emerge.

Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction and visual cues, while phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a camera is not wanted. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for brief check-ins, building momentum between sessions, or when a shorter, written format fits someone's schedule. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives and to keep consistent work on goals.

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Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns does Dominic address?

He helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship problems, addictions, intimacy issues, anger, and low self-esteem. Additional focuses include attachment and abandonment issues, kink and alternative sex culture, non-monogamy, and HIV/AIDS related concerns.

How would you describe his therapeutic style?

Dominic combines client-centered listening with practical techniques from CBT and DBT and other methods. Sessions focus on skills you can use day to day and on processing intense emotions when needed.

What experience does he bring to sessions?

He has 17 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of relationship, trauma, identity, and addiction concerns. That background informs a flexible, experience-based approach.

Where is he licensed and based?

Dominic holds a California Licensed Clinical Social Worker credential, noted as LCSW, and practices in California.

Which languages are supported in sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

What formats are available for working together?

He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.

How does cost and billing work?

Cost varies by location and therapist availability and is handled through a subscription model 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 scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

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