Dominic Valdes, LCSW
California LCSW focused on LGBTQ+ relationships and trauma
- LGBTQ+ affirming care
- Trauma and addiction
- Relationship and intimacy
About Dominic Valdes
Dominic Valdes is a California-based licensed therapist who brings 17 years of clinical experience to work with individuals facing relationship, emotional, and identity-related challenges. As an LCSW - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - he emphasizes culturally responsive care and has developed particular expertise supporting people within the LGBTQ+ community through complex issues such as infidelity, betrayal trauma, sex addiction, depression, and gender-related concerns. He also addresses anxiety, trauma, men's issues, and the varied stresses that affect intimate and non-monogamous relationships.
Valdes employs evidence-based methods to help clients navigate attachment and abandonment concerns, explore sexuality and kink, manage addiction, and build healthier patterns in relationships. His approach centers on respectful, empathic engagement that meets each person where they are, honoring diverse backgrounds and identities while fostering resilience and self-understanding. Whether working on social anxiety, isolation, or process addictions, he aims to translate therapeutic insight into practical strategies for personal growth.
Grounded in client-centered values, Valdes combines validated therapies with an affirming stance to support meaningful change. He focuses on collaborative goal-setting and skill development so individuals can better manage emotions, repair relationships, and pursue greater emotional well-being over time.
Valdes employs evidence-based methods to help clients navigate attachment and abandonment concerns, explore sexuality and kink, manage addiction, and build healthier patterns in relationships. His approach centers on respectful, empathic engagement that meets each person where they are, honoring diverse backgrounds and identities while fostering resilience and self-understanding. Whether working on social anxiety, isolation, or process addictions, he aims to translate therapeutic insight into practical strategies for personal growth.
Grounded in client-centered values, Valdes combines validated therapies with an affirming stance to support meaningful change. He focuses on collaborative goal-setting and skill development so individuals can better manage emotions, repair relationships, and pursue greater emotional well-being over time.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureCommitment issuesControl issuesDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsGender dysphoriaHIV / AIDSInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyMen's issuesNarcissismPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Sex addictionSexual dysfunctionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Gottman Method Motivational Interviewing Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy Internal Family Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dominic Valdes have?
Dominic Valdes has 17 years of experience in clinical practice.
Is Dominic Valdes a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the credential LCSW, which indicates Licensed Clinical Social Worker. His license is listed as CA LCSW 71010.
In which languages does Dominic Valdes provide therapy?
He provides therapy in English.
Where is Dominic Valdes located?
He is located in California.
How can I work with Dominic Valdes as my therapist?
You can work with Dominic Valdes through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dominic Valdes work with international clients?
Dominic Valdes does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dominic Valdes cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, just click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Just click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Remote Care
Dominic Valdes combines client-centered therapy with targeted clinical techniques to support emotional healing and relationship growth. Client-centered therapy focuses on building a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship where the therapist follows the client's lead, which helps people explore identity, attachment, and personal values. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - offers practical tools to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related issues. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - EMDR - is an evidence-informed approach used to process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional intensity, which can be especially helpful for those coping with betrayal trauma or past abuse.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist will collaborate with the client to determine which methods fit best based on needs, goals, and preferences, and adapt techniques over time as goals evolve. This collaborative stance helps tailor care to relationship dynamics, sexual identity concerns, addiction recovery, and other individual priorities.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility: sessions can occur via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, allowing clients and licensed professionals to connect in ways that suit schedules and comfort levels. For many people, remote work makes it easier to maintain consistency, access specialized therapists regardless of geography within the same state, and integrate therapy into daily life.