Online Ketamine Treatment Available in: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NY, OR, TX, and WA.
Online Ketamine Treatment Available in: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, NY, OR, TX, and WA.
This feature is part of our ongoing series highlighting Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) clinicians who bring depth, heart, and lived experience to their practice. Today, we’re honored to introduce Dez Valdez, LCSW, a narrative therapist whose work is rooted in authenticity, justice, and joy.
“I knew I wanted to become a therapist when I was about 14 years old. Through both experiencing and witnessing hardship at a young age, I felt motivated to find a way to support people on a deep level. I feel lucky to have discovered my path so early—it gave me the chance to work in a variety of mental health settings over the years, which provided a wide range of experience and opportunities to serve my communities. That journey has only reinforced my decision to become a therapist, and I continue to enjoy learning and growing so I can support my clients in the best way possible.”
“Inclusive, Authentic, and Intentional.
“There wasn’t a single moment for me—it was more like a deepening clarity over time. Each experience I had working with clients, each story I was trusted to hold, affirmed for me that this was the work I was meant to do.”
“I'm a narrative therapist at heart, but my approach is eclectic—I draw from a range of therapeutic modalities based on the unique needs of each client. I don’t subscribe to a one-size-fits-all method because I believe each person brings their own strengths, experiences, cultural identities, and ways of making meaning that deserve to be honored in the therapeutic process. As a narrative therapist and clinical social worker, I hold a systemic lens and always consider the broader context. We are shaped not only by our internal worlds, but also by our relationships, communities, culture, and the social systems that surround us. That’s why my approach to healing involves both looking inward—at emotions, behaviors, and inner beliefs and narratives—and outward, toward the external conditions that impact our well-being. My work is intentional, compassionate, and rooted in a deep respect for each individual’s lived experience.”
“I have been offering Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) since 2019, and I’ve witnessed many clients have deep, meaningful healing experiences. While each person responds to ketamine differently, many have found relief from depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, and low self-worth. Some benefit from ketamine’s antidepressant effects, while others experience breakthroughs in insight, self-compassion, or emotional processing. As a therapist, it’s been eye-opening to see how KAP can support deeper exploration and help clients connect the dots where they once felt stuck. KAP is a process, and like any deep therapeutic work, it can be challenging and nonlinear. But when held in a thoughtful container that’s tailored to each client’s needs—and grounded in a strong, collaborative therapeutic relationship—KAP can be profoundly transformative. I offer KAP both virtually and in-person, and I center client choice and autonomy every step of the way, always working together to create the right environment for this work.”
“What I tell clients when they feel nervous about trying KAP is that they have choice, this work is centered around consent, and there is no urgency. I let them know that there is no pressure around timing, and we will have the opportunity to do several preparation sessions for them to determine whether KAP feels right for them. They won’t go into this experience without feeling they have the information they need to make an informed decision around whether to engage in KAP treatment or not, and they will leave our preparation sessions with options for treatment. Informed consent is not just a document with policies and jargon—true consent is when the client feels they understand what KAP treatment is while also feeling like they have the right environment and therapeutic relationship.”
“I think a common misconception about KAP is that it works the same for everyone or that it’s a fit for everyone. One of the biggest things I support clients with—especially during preparation and throughout treatment—is managing expectations and resisting the urge to compare their experience to someone else’s. KAP is deeply personal, and no two experiences are exactly alike, because each person brings their own unique history, identities, and lived experiences. That’s why it’s so important to work with an informed KAP therapist and a collaborative psychiatric provider, so the process can be intentional and tailored to the individual’s specific needs and goals. I also find that many clients don’t realize they’re allowed to experience joy, fun, or rest during their therapeutic ketamine sessions. We're often so conditioned to associate therapy with seriousness or struggle that we forget it can also hold moments of lightness. One of my hopes—both for individual clients and for our communities—is that we reclaim joy, rest, and play as essential parts of the healing process, and I welcome those moments whenever they arise in KAP work.”
“If you had asked me when I was younger what I’d do if I couldn’t be a therapist, I would’ve said astronomer. Funny enough, my best friend recently asked me this same question, and now my answer is lawyer. I think that shift reflects how deeply rooted I am in social justice—combining my clinical social work background with a legal degree feels like it would be a powerful way to serve our communities, especially those that are marginalized, which I personally identify with. It might not be as fun of an answer as my elementary school dream of becoming a professional salsa dancer, but I imagine it would be both challenging and fulfilling—especially for my detail-oriented, neurodiverse brain.”
“Being queer and Mexican-American has deeply influenced my work as a therapist. I’m passionate about uplifting LGBTQIA2S+ and BIPOC communities, and I primarily serve these communities—and their allies—in my practice. I’m deeply grateful for the identities and experiences that have shaped me. They’re not just part of who I am; they are central to how I show up in the world and in the therapy room.”
“I encourage people to carve out a moment in their day for something that brings them joy or rest, even if it’s small or brief. There’s no right or wrong way to do this—it looks different for everyone. I often support clients in letting go of any judgment, guilt, or shame around what they need to feel nourished, and help them identify what joy or rest looks like for them.”
Stay tuned for more features in our KAP Therapist Series, where we highlight the stories and expertise of therapists from diverse backgrounds.
Ready to explore Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with expert guidance?
➡ Learn more about Dez Valdez LCSW on our ketamine therapist directory.
➡ Book a consultation with an Isha Health doctor to see if KAP is right for you.
This website has been reviewed by Isha Health California, P.C. and should not be used as medical advice in place of a licensed psychiatric clinician.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY:
If you are in a life-threatening situation, don’t use this site. Call, text, or chat 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or use these resources to get immediate help.
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