Teletherapy for Ojai, CA

Over the course of his career, Dr. Valenzuela has worked in a variety of settings. The breadth of his experience includes extensive work with severe mood and psychotic disorders. Dr. Valenzuela’s commitment to addressing mental health issues from an early age has informed his work with adolescents in the juvenile justice system and in schools. His work in local community settings has guided his professional identity as a warm, empathic, nonjudgmental, and depth-oriented practitioner.

PTSD / TRAUMA: Feel safe again. TRAUMA, big and small can be resolved. I will guide you through a gentle healing process. Get grounded, emotionally balanced. Your nervous system, once triggered, will remain in "flight or fright" mode indefinitely until you learn how to turn off the alarm signals from your brain. Using cutting edge techniques, Somatic Experiencing, Process Acupressure and EMDR, helps reset your nervous system allowing you to feel calm and centered. If you have ADDICTIVE tendencies, just know they are flawed solutions to deal with trauma. Please call for a free 30 minute phone consultation today.

If you're here, I imagine you're suffering from something that feels beyond your ability to cope. I'm guessing you'd like to lay it all out on a table to see what's true and what's a lie, to discover what you need to do and to learn so you can grow past this thing. Would you like to move forward with confidence in yourself? Do you want a safe and courageous space to do what it takes to heal and grow? That's what I offer.

Have you ever had a not-so-great therapy experience? Maybe you left a session feeling more misunderstood, judged, or alone than when you walked in. The therapist may have made assumptions that proved they didn't get you at all - or tried to make decisions for you. With 15 years of experience, one of my highest values is to listen carefully to my clients and treat you with the utmost respect. I do my best to leave my prior assumptions at the door and believe clients are the experts in their lives. Don't know where to begin?

My passion is working with couples. I am a PACT Level 2 Couples Therapist and I have received extensive training from the Couples Institute in Menlo Park. Studying with Stan Tatkin PhD and Ellyn Bader PhD have given me the extra education to help couples. My sessions are two hours. I find the extra time makes all the difference in how productive and useful each session can be.

Are you feeling ready to journey within? My goal in the therapeutic work is to gently provide support as you peer into your innermost intricacies. You may be suffering from shame that enhances your anxiety, depression that isolates you from the connection you desire, or a frame of mind that keeps you stuck from the dreams you want to achieve. You may have faced many adversities in your life experience and need the support of a therapist to help you find better meaning in life and change the course. My goal as your therapist is to provide you support and tools that will empower you to show up in the world in the way you have dreamed.

I provide compassionate guidance and support to individuals and couples who want to confront challenges, gain insight, and improve relationships and communication. I especially enjoy working with adults of all ages who are navigating life transitions, such as entering adulthood, facing midlife, changing careers, ending long-term relationships, or adjusting to an "empty nest." No matter what issues are being addressed, I bring a calm presence, a nonjudgmental attitude, curiosity, and a sense of humor.

I enjoy helping motivated people who are in crisis or distressed find realistic and practical relief for their problems. I have over 40 years of experience working with individuals, children, teens, parents, couples and families. My goal is to be actively engaged in finding solutions for problems people face with relationships, personal growth, work place stresses, and parenting. One of my primary values as a therapist is to help create a positive and successful experience for my clients.

l am trained in EMDR and use integrative approaches including Humanistic and Attachment/Trauma-Informed interventions, along with the lens of Family Systems theories. Jennifer has experience working with families, couples, adolescents, LGBTQIA+ and Gender nonconformity support, individual work, intimate partner violence/trauma, and substance use.

If you’re reading this you are likely considering speaking with a therapist and exploring current or past areas of your life that are of concern to you. Common areas or concern include relationship problems, exposure to traumatic events, difficult life transitions, parent child conflict, child behavior, school or self esteem issues, as well as many others. Navigating these challenges can be difficult. At times they may even leave you with feelings of depression, anxiety, even hopelessness. By reaching out to a therapist you are reaching out for support and guidance to restore hope and good health for you and your loved ones.

I am honored to be a part of our beautiful Central Coast, characterized by care and community. My client-centered, humanistic approach is a balance of compassion, empathy and open-mindedness. I have been honored to share this healing space with children as young as 3 years, families, adolescents, young and middle-aged adults, and the healthy aging population, who have become willing to explore their experiences of change, grief, suffering, trauma, depression, separation and anxiety. Hope and empowerment grow through the process of healing and recovery. It is a collaborative experience where alternative ways of being occur.

I am open to clients with a wide range of backgrounds and challenges. My focus is simply this: to reduce suffering so that the client can lead a more fulfilling life. I love understanding what is holding you back from leading a deeply contented life, and helping you release that. I love working with couple clients because it is so exciting to hold the passion as we work on building harmony and trust. My ideal client wants to grow and change which requires being open to the magic of living beyond habits.

Many people suffer stress from past events, from childhood or later. My neurofeedback, biofeedback, and hypnosis can help reduce or eliminate that stress. I have t wo doctorates in clinical psychology (2012 and 2020) in addition to my certification in neurofeedback and hypnotherapy. I teach psychology at the Masters level at Antioch University in Santa Barbara so I'm really good at explaining what I do. I now have a Certificate in Sport Psychology! I pride myself in delivering these services in the most empathic manner possible. If you are short with your loved ones, generally uptight, and regretting it later I can help.

Our relationships - particularly our romantic partnerships and pursuits - are one of the most powerful places for personal transformation. But often, that's not what it feels like. Whether you are looking for new love or have been in a relationship for years - when challenges come up, opportunity is not the first word that comes to mind . It's hard. It's triggering. It's painful. And no matter how smart or insightful you are, it can feel like a dead end. It's easy to wonder: Is love and fulfilling partnership really possible at all?

I have been in the field for over twenty years working with children, adolescents and adults with issues related to trauma, loss, family conflict and life changes. All of these can create stress, which left untreated, can develop into debilitating symptoms of depression and or anxiety. My work is focused on giving you the tools to manage your symptoms, while identifying defeating patterns of thought and behavior and helping you develop healthy thinking and behavior to promote healing, growth and wholeness.

Throughout our life we experience changes, transitions, and milestones that challenge us, provoke reflection, and sometimes stop us in our tracks. My work is dedicated to honoring these moments and working collaboratively to turn potential obstacles into momentous achievements. Inspired by compassion-focused therapy, my goal is to offer a space which invites thoughtful self-examination, devoid of shame, judgement and self-criticism. Through this honest practice you will be able to identify, seek and strengthen the connections that empower you.

My practice is virtual over the phone or via zoom all you need to do is find a quiet space. My practice style is experiential, goal directed, and CBT oriented. I am available 4 days a week Monday-Thursday from 10am-7pm (hours may be adjusted). With me as your therapist, you can expect to be heard and seen from empathetic and nonjudgmental space. I can help you to develop insight into mental/physical aliments, and give you tools that you can use to move through some of life most difficult moments.

If you or your child are struggling with stress, anxiety, grief, or trauma, I can help. I offer individual sessions in the outdoors, where we take peaceful and mindful walks talking alongside each other, or via phone/video sessions for those who feel more comfortable in their own home. For those needing support and/or guidance getting through a difficult transition (relationships, work, school, crisis, medical), we can work together to get you on the road to peace and security.

I truly enjoy the process of collaboration and sense of discovery as a therapeutic alliance is formed. I love working with adults, both young and old, male and female who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and challenging life situations and transitions. The pace of our work together is always determined by your comfort level and readiness.