IFS Therapy for Anxiety, Grief and Adult ADHD

I’m Cynthia Valentine. I provide Telehealth therapy in California, Michigan and Hawaii and In-Person therapy in San Diego, CA.

If you’re in a boat without the paddles, I can help.


 

Anxiety Therapy

Are you sick of not being able to “get it together?” Are you tired of knowing you have a lot to offer and you can’t break through the noise in your mind? 

In therapy with me, we work together to understand what your brain and body are trying to tell you, we figure out those anxious cycles, and get you moving in the direction you’ve always wanted.

My clients love our work together because I help them bridge the gap between their logical and rational mind and their emotional “feelings” that are more nuisance than ever.

Remember all those times you’ve said:

  • “I shouldn't be this upset about this.”

  • “Why am I overreacting? It was no big deal and I’m still thinking about it.” 

I’ll help you use that awesome brain of yours to work with you and not against you.

 

Licensed IFS Therapist in California, Hawaii and Michigan.

Telehealth Therapy in California, Hawaii and Michigan. In-person Therapy in San Diego, CA.

Accessible, approachable, and here for you.

IFS Therapy that considers the whole you

This may not be your first rodeo in therapy. I’m glad you’re still at it! Maybe you’ve outgrown your previous therapist. Maybe the coping skills you learned just couldn’t grow with you.

Therapy is a healing and growing process.

It is not, “insert skill = feel better.” I’m sure you’ve used and discarded this approach by now. Good!

You need ways to heal and grow that can move and change with you.

I treat anxiety with these ideas in mind; with flexibility and adaptability.

As your therapist, I’ll get to know the whole you. I’ll help you with tools that actually work for you.

 Internal Family Systems Therapy

In our work together, I weave in the insights of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy, offering you an approach that not only acknowledges the whole you, but welcomes and respects each part of you. As a Level 1 Trained IFS Therapist, ALL of your emotions are welcome.

“Parts-work” is not new to most people, however, the way we apply it in therapy may be different than how you’ve applied it before.

San Diego, California Sunset Cliffs

First encounters with “parts work” usually revolve around “inner critics.” Our inner critics are often agitated, worried or hyper-critical of our daily or life choices. It usually results in a spiral up in energy with anxious thoughts and feelings, or a spiral down in energy with depressive moods and self-loathing. Fun, right?

In IFS, we’ll practice presence with what part of ourselves is showing up. While the critical part may be a first encounter, what we’ll come to find out is you have a lot of different parts in your internal “family.” What about the part that is charming and friendly? Or the part that knows how to get really organized and plan a great event? Maybe you have a part that is shy and shows up in areas that you wish your charming part would instead! When that happens we call it “taking over the system.” In therapy, we’ll repair and/or adjust your relationships to these parts so they don’t take over when you don’t need them.

The point is, our parts are with us, forever. How do you want to relate and be in your body with them? If you’re finding inner turmoil, avoidance, dissociation or outright neglect of these inner thoughts, feelings and beliefs, I’m glad you’re looking into other ways of dealing.

Inner harmony is possible and I’d love to help you create more.

Cynthia Valentine, online therapist for anxiety, grief, trauma and adult adhd.

Areas of Specialty

Areas I specialize in include:

  • Anxiety Spectrum

  • Grief & Loss

  • Self Leadership

  • ADHD in Adults

  • Self-esteem

  • Stress

  • Trauma

Together we will become aware of where you are, now, open up to the present moment, and move into thoughtful and committed engagement, acting with the values that are most important to you.

 
 

A mailbox in a door that is over-stuffed with envelopes.

ADHD- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

ADHD-ers are more talented and capable than the diagnosis gives them credit for. Read on to learn how I work with clients with ADHD.

Adult hugging and burying head in pillow due to anxious feelings and overwhelm.

A brunette person sitting against a wall with their knees bent up to their chest. They are holing a pillow, with their arms folded over it and their head resting on their arms.

anxiety and panic attacks

Living with anxiety can look a lot different than living with panic attacks. Let’s take a look at how they’re similar and how they’re different.

Hand holding a light blue post it note that reads “IT STARTS WITH YOU” in all capital letters.

Self leadership

 

Two stems of white lilies on a white background.

 
 

grief therapy

Therapy can help with grief. Loss is never easy, and it shouldn’t be experienced alone. Reach out today.