Psychiatrists in Alaska
Are you seeking relief from mental health issues and aim to improve your daily functioning and well-being? Are you wanting an appointment today? Do you desire a combination of medication management, therapy, and education to achieve these objectives? Do you have a motivation that stems from a desire for a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life? Are you ready to be open, honest, and willing to ask for help in your own healing journey? Then you have found the best fit at Alaska Marriage & Family Therapy Associates with Kathy!
Are you seeking relief from mental health issues and aim to improve your daily functioning and well-being? Are you wanting an appointment today? Do you desire a combination of medication management, therapy, and education to achieve these objectives? Do you have a motivation that stems from a desire for a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life? Are you ready to be open, honest, and willing to ask for help in your own healing journey? Then you have found the best fit at Alaska Marriage & Family Therapy Associates with Kathy!
I am an Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, which means I am a nurse with advanced practice and training in a wide range of mental health services. My approach: You and I will work together to understand your mental health symptoms and their causes. I develop your personal treatment plan that will include strategies for behavioral changes and medication management. Overall, the goal is for me to coach and support you to better mental health.
I am an Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, which means I am a nurse with advanced practice and training in a wide range of mental health services. My approach: You and I will work together to understand your mental health symptoms and their causes. I develop your personal treatment plan that will include strategies for behavioral changes and medication management. Overall, the goal is for me to coach and support you to better mental health.
Tara N Valenzuela
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, DNP, PMHNP
Verified Verified
Anchorage, AK 99501 (Online Only)
Dr. Tara Valenzuela DNP, PMHNP-BC. is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She treats mental health across the lifespan. Her treatments are healing-centered, education-forward, person-focused. This involves customized strategies that may begin with therapy and medication, and can involve holistic planning including nutrition and activity to treat the whole person. She aligns with the idea that Nursing is the facilitation of healing, and works to provide intervention, education, and advocacy. Dr. Tara Valenzuela believes psychiatric treatment allows a life worth living to be lived.
Dr. Tara Valenzuela DNP, PMHNP-BC. is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She treats mental health across the lifespan. Her treatments are healing-centered, education-forward, person-focused. This involves customized strategies that may begin with therapy and medication, and can involve holistic planning including nutrition and activity to treat the whole person. She aligns with the idea that Nursing is the facilitation of healing, and works to provide intervention, education, and advocacy. Dr. Tara Valenzuela believes psychiatric treatment allows a life worth living to be lived.
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Transgender Psychiatrists
As a gender-diverse individual, why might I want to see a therapist who is also gender diverse?
A trans or gender-diverse client may want to see a therapist who is also trans or gender diverse because the client may feel safer sharing their experiences and more confident that the therapist will understand, validate, and support them. But trans or gender-diverse clients can also benefit from therapy with cisgender therapists; this is a personal decision based on the connection between the client and the therapist, and if that connection is strong, therapy will be successful.
What if I cannot find a therapist who shares my gender identity?
Therapy can still be effective if a therapist does not share a client’s gender identity; a large body of research indicates that the most important factor in successful therapy is the therapeutic alliance. A therapist can also be interviewed for sensitivity and competence on gender identity and expression to ensure they possess appropriate knowledge and skills. Many therapists have excellent training and extensive experience working with gender-diverse clients, and that expertise can be invaluable despite a therapist not sharing the same firsthand experiences.
How can I recognize a good therapist for working with gender-diverse clients?
An experienced therapist should be able to help clients explore their gender identity and expression, alleviate discomfort related to their gender identity, treat mental health challenges and trauma, address existing relationships and communication with family members and loved ones, and determine the next steps pertaining to nonmedical or medical gender-affirming interventions. To recognize a good therapist, clients can ask about these topics and explore their comfort and connection with the clinician.
How might I inquire about a therapist’s experience working with transgender clients?
Clients should feel comfortable asking therapists directly about their experience working with transgender or gender-diverse clientele. For example, clients may ask about the therapist’s training and education with regard to gender identity, how many trans clients they’ve worked with in the past, and what sorts of matters were discussed. You may wish to inquire how a therapist specifically supports the needs of transgender clients or clients questioning their gender identity. A good clinician who is nonetheless not the right fit for you is often happy to make referrals to others based on the concerns you articulate in a preliminary conversation.