Meet Greg Valdez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Valdez.

Hi Greg, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Born in LA and lived most of my life in the golden state of California. One of four siblings. My parents separated when I was three because of alcoholism. My mother and three children spent the next two years in what is affectionately called “Frogtown” which is a section of LA near the LA River and in the backyard of Dodger Stadium, I spent many hours playing in that river. My mother remarried two years later, and at five, I entered into a blended family where 9 years later my brother was born. Life changed a lot in this new family. We moved from a poor neighborhood into a middle-class neighborhood and finally, to an upper-class neighborhood on the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains.

I attended several different schools because of our several moves and was bullied and struggled academically. These two struggles followed me all of my early years. By the time I reached college, I was still struggling with reading, spelling and had no study skills development. I was just glad to have graduated from high school. Over the next five years with a lot of hard work and my faith in Jesus Christ, I graduated from college.

I was married at 21 to a girl that I had dated early in college. We moved to Colorado to pursue a lifelong dream and passion of mine to attend seminary and to become a pastor.

Came back to California, graduated from Azusa Pacific University, with a master’s degree. Entered into a ministry, as a lead Pastor and counseled at a private university until I opened up my own private practice.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I struggled academically for many years. While in seminary I studied 10 hours a day to be sure that I wasn’t one of the “casualties” within the first semester that would be removed because of being on academic probation. The first year of seminary was taxing on my marriage and by the second year, my wife asked to take a break from our intense schedule. We both worked and lived in a nearby town.

My life seems normal work, home, and church. I really didn’t see the storm forming. My life turned, terribly upside down when my wife entered into an affair with a person who attended the church. We separated, and later divorced, and for the next five years, I was in a dark place emotionally. I went through several relationships some went as far as engagement. I later remarried and we have married for 42 years.

Licensing was a long journey. I started several times to collect the hours for licensing, stopping and starting. After many years, I finally became a licensed marriage and family therapist. Opening a private practice was such an amazing accomplishment.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Over the many years of doing therapy, I’ve come to understanding that we are individuals that are on a journey and that this journey is one that is spiritual as well as, physical. I am cognizant of my limitations and understand that I’m not a fit for every client.

I work at being “present” with my client and to the best of my abilities, understand and work collaboratively with my client’s goals and objectives.

Experience is what I bring to my clients. Most of them appreciate the years of experience of life and the journey that I have traveled as a therapist. My approach is holistic and deeply systems-based and usually takes more time.

What brings me the most joy is that for over 25 years, I’ve been able to help people and to be a part of their journey. Years later to see them thriving and to have them say how beneficial their time with me was.

I stay curious and a lifelong learner. I want to use my years of experiences in life and as a therapist to bring an authentic person to each and every client, I never want to become complacent.

How do you think about happiness?
I’m usually an optimistic personality so generally, I’m a happy person, but there are several things that bring a lot of joy to me. One is my granddaughters. I really enjoy eating ice cream with them. I enjoy going to classic muscle car shows and I’m definitely a “foodie”, eating and preparing food is always an enjoyable time.

Pricing:

• $120 individual sessions (50mins)
• $150 couples sessions (50mins)
• $180 individual session (75mins)
• $150 couples telehealth (50 mins)
• $120 individual telehealth (50 mins)

Contact Info:

• Website: gregvaldez.com
• Instagram: gregoryvaldez69

Image Credits
Sara Barrett