Bio - Lenka Valenzuela

I am a Registered Psychotherapist and most of my work focuses on helping individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, and trauma.

Education

I completed my undergraduate studies in a Mental Health Specialist program and my Master's Degree in a Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy program at the University of Toronto. As part of my studies, I completed specialized training at a mental health hospital in Toronto, working primarily in trauma and addictions, and later on in a community-based mental health agency.

Work

In my psychotherapy work, I use an individualized approach with all my clients. By nature, I am a flexible and fluid person, and I bring this into therapy as well. This means that I individualize my treatment plans for each client, based on their goals, levels of distress, and primary ways of learning. I have training, certification and/or ongoing mentoring in the following types of psychotherapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems Therapy ("parts work").

Other than my specialties, I also work with individuals who have concerns in their relationships (family, friendship, or romantic), as well as concerns in areas relating to the "self". This includes self-confidence, self-esteem, self-care and self-compassion. Lastly, I work with individuals who are having difficulties with their overall identity, including individuals in the LGBTQ2S+ community (transitioning/coming out, acceptance, adjusting).

For those who identify as spiritual (i.e., meditation, energy/chakra, crystal, connecting with wisdom), I am happy to include these conversations with my clients throughout their psychotherapy work to aid in their healing.

Fernie, British Columbia with view of Canadian Rockies

MIka and I

On The Atlantic Coast In Ireland

The peak of Mount Saint Piran, Alberta, Canada

Hiking in Zeleno Pleso, High Tatras in Slovakia

My dog, Mika, a Japanese Akita Inu

Paragliding in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba

Royal Botanical Gardens

Hiking In British Columbia

Personal Life

A cup of tea, an afternoon hike, and reading a book on wisdom, all while next to my dog, is my way of enjoying my own, personal time. I am a plant-lover, a postcard collector, a back-country camper, and a psychotherapist.

I am fascinated with different languages and cultures, which comes from my upbringing of living in different countries as a child and young adult. Naturally, this has made me passionate about travelling. I also speak Slovak and Spanish. Other than Canada, my second homes are Slovakia and Cuba.

For my hobbies, I enjoy taking walks and hikes with my dog (Mika), salsa dancing, gardening or going to plant stores, creating herbal tea blends, going to off-the-grid cabins, and reading books on life. I also practice meditation, yoga and energy work.