- Guilt and shame
- BIPOC and LGBTQ+ issues
- English and Spanish
About Omar
Omar Alba Valdez is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois with four years of clinical practice. He speaks English and Spanish and lists stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse among the issues he addresses. Omar identifies as an immigrant and as a member of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities.
Omar describes his work as relational and meaning-centered. He leans on curiosity and connection when talking with people. Sessions focus on understanding how past and present experiences shape feelings and behavior.
He uses a mix of evidence-based techniques rather than following a single method. That includes psychodynamic ideas about past relationships, cognitive-behavioral methods to notice and change unhelpful thoughts, and somatic approaches that pay attention to bodily signals. He also draws on elements from internal family systems, dialectical strategies for emotional regulation, and solution-focused techniques for short-term goals.
Omar brings both professional practice and lived experience to conversations about identity, culture, and neurodiversity. He names multicultural concerns, immigration issues, gender dysphoria, HIV/AIDS, and kink or alternative sex culture among areas he addresses. He also works with guilt and shame as part of broader mood and relationship concerns.
Practical matters are straightforward: sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. People who want to begin are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial session through the online options button.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Omar describes using a blend of psychodynamic ideas and cognitive-behavioral methods. Psychodynamic ideas help people talk about how early relationships shape current feelings and recurring patterns. Cognitive-behavioral techniques focus on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying different responses to reduce distress.He also incorporates somatic practices that invite attention to bodily sensations and how they signal stress or overwhelm. Those practices can be brief exercises to notice breath, posture, or tension and can help when emotions feel stuck.
Choosing which approaches to use is a collaborative process. The therapist and client review goals, try techniques, and adjust what they do together based on what helps. That means the plan can change across sessions as needs and priorities become clearer.
Confirm the specific session options before booking since formats were not specified in the biography. In general, online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time from the schedule. It can also let someone use audio-only if brighter bandwidth or camera use is difficult. Ask about the available session formats when you begin the matching process.
Areas of expertise
Additional focus areas
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he address?
He lists stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma and abuse, and LGBT concerns. Additional focuses include guilt and shame, body image, immigration issues, and more.
How does he approach feelings of guilt and shame?
He uses a relational, meaning-centered approach and evidence-based techniques to help people talk through how those feelings developed. Work often looks at past influences and present thinking patterns.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has four years of clinical experience as a practicing social worker, with prior work in social services spanning over a decade.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and practices with that credential in the state.
In which languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can people outside the United States work with him?
He is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?
Sessions use a subscription model that varies with location and can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to begin a session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.