Jared Smith-Valentine

The therapy I (pronouns: he/they) practice is empirically informed, LGBTQ+ affirming and trained, empirically focused, strength-based, and directive. I believe therapy should be a brave and whimsical space and the clients who work best in my care tend to be curious to know themselves on a deeper level and open to trying something new. Being neurodivergent myself, all of the models I use are adapted to work for no neurotypical clients. I fall under the category of eclectic therapists which means I draw from many models. 

Here is a list of some of the therapies I frequently use: ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), DBT skills (Dialectical Behavior Therapy), Systems therapies, Person-Centered Therapy, TFCBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Narrative Therapies, The Circle of Courage model, LGBTQ+ affirmative therapies, and models of Sex Therapy. 

My direct experiences as a queer, neurodivergent human with a chronic health condition directly impact my practice. Therapies under my care focus on the social model of disability and are a mutual collaboration centering the clients’ needs and experiences while acknowledging the systemic trauma that we walk through life with. My therapeutic lens acknowledges the racist, sexist, ableist, and queerphobic roots and current practices of the mental health field and works to find effective strategies for clients which are depathologizing and rooted in liberating and decolonizing the practice of therapy. 

My career path has given me opportunities to work directly within my queer community and given me experience in working in an individual, systemic, and community capacity with both adults and pediatric clients. Disorders of Affect (Anxiety, Depression, Mood Disorders) ADHD and General Executive Dysfunction Disenfranchised Grief and Ambivalent Loss LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapies Issues of Erotic Function, Identity, Orientation, or Expression Kink-Informed & Sex Positive Practice Navigating Relational Structure (monogamy, CNM, Polyam, etc.)