Meet Leslie Vallarta

Hey, you made it here. That’s a pretty good first step.

Finding a therapist isn’t always easy, and figuring out where to begin can feel even harder.
Whether you’re going through something big, feeling stuck, or just trying to make sense of life
lately, I’m glad you’re here.

I earned my Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and am bilingual in
English and Spanish. My background includes child development, addiction, working with
individuals impacted by incarceration, and experience in the technology industry. Working with
people across different ages, backgrounds, and communities has shaped my understanding of
how our relationships, environments, and life experiences influence who we become.
I especially enjoy working with teens and young adults as they navigate identity, relationships,
independence, family expectations, and the sometimes messy process of figuring out who they
are. I also support adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, career
changes, parenthood, postpartum adjustment, and family challenges.

I believe understanding where we come from can help us make sense of where we are today.
Our early relationships, family dynamics, cultural expectations, and generational patterns can
influence how we see ourselves, connect with others, and respond to life’s challenges. But while
those experiences shape us, they don’t have to define us.

My approach is conversational, collaborative, and grounded in meeting you where you are. I
draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT),
narrative therapy, and attachment-informed, strengths-based approaches. Together, we might
explore patterns in your thoughts and relationships, recognize strengths you already have,
challenge beliefs that no longer serve you, and find practical ways to move forward.
I don’t believe therapy has to feel overly formal or intimidating to be meaningful. There may be
laughter, honest conversations, a little humor when we need it, and moments when we sit with
things that aren’t so easy to put into words. You don’t have to arrive with everything figured out,
and you certainly don’t need to have the perfect words.

You’ve already made it this far. When you’re ready, let’s talk.