Helping families reach new milestones
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Alejandro Valdivieso

Alejandro Valdivieso

 

Alejandro Valdivieso

Associate Mental Health Counselor

As a clinician, my primary goal is to assist children and adolescents in navigating the myriad challenges and anxieties they encounter in today's ever-evolving world. I specialize in evidence-based treatments, emphasizing personalized care tailored to each child and their family. It's a privilege to continue my passion for counseling and clinical services for youth at Milestones Psychology.

My approach emphasizes customizing treatment to suit each family's unique needs, steering away from a one-size-fits-all philosophy. Trained in various therapeutic methodologies, I am able to specify treatment so that it's aligned with your child's distinctive needs and temperament. I advocate for a comprehensive approach that involves the whole family and community, and I am able to collaborate with caregivers, school staff, medical professionals, psychiatrists, and other pivotal figures in your child's life. My interventions focus on assisting children in managing their anxieties, enhancing social skills, bolstering self-esteem, addressing interpersonal challenges, and fostering their innate strengths and resilience. Additionally, I offer skills training, treatment management, and conflict resolution support for parents, caregivers, and others involved in the immediate care of your child.

Raised in Chicago, IL, I am a proud first-generation Colombian-American. Identifying as Latinx and gay, I embrace my identities, which enrich my ability to connect with youth from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personalities. My advocacy and mentorship for young people have spanned several years in community centers, schools, and clinical settings. Notable experiences include my role as a Group Counselor in Columbia University's REACH program in Harlem schools, where I guided elementary, middle, and high school students in social-emotional learning, conflict resolution, and interpersonal relationship discussions. I have also devoted years as a Mentor/Workshop Leader at the Bureau of Fearless Ideas in Seattle, WA, a non-profit organization dedicated to the academic and emotional enrichment of underserved communities.

My experiences in counseling have consistently highlighted a crucial insight: children who feel heard and supported can make substantial progress. My personable demeanor fosters deep connections with those who find it challenging to articulate their inner concerns and thoughts. I am eager to engage with your family and discuss how I can contribute to your child's well-being.

SPECIALTIES

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Children (DBT-C) and Adolescents (DBT-A)

Narrative Therapy (NT)

Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Children (IPT-C) and Adolescents (IPT-A)

Parent Management Training (PMT)

Social Skills Training

Multicultural Psychotherapy

EXPERIENCE

Clinical Extern & Group Counselor at Milestones Psychology

Group Counselor for Teachers College’s REACH program (Raising Educational Achievement Coalition of Harlem)

Recipient of the Arthur Zankel Urban Fellowship at Teachers College, Columbia University

Research Assistant for Arizona State University’s Courage Lab for Pediatric Anxiety

Recipient of the Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program at the American Psychological Association

Mentor & Workshop Leader for youth-based community nonprofit, Bureau of Fearless Ideas

Research Assistant for the Adolescent Adversity & Depression Intervention Lab at the University of Washington

EDUCATION

Masters of Education from Teachers College, Columbia University


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