Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Crystal Valdez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Crystal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back on your career, have you ever worked with a great leader or boss? We’d love to hear about the experience and what you think made them such a great leader.

The best boss that I ever had was at one of the worst jobs I ever had. I found some of the best people in that role. Thinking back on it now, she even had a hand in creating the safety and openness that helped me to connect with my colleagues, too. I don’t think that her shoes are easy to fill and I definitely recognize her as a role model. Some bosses you feel like you’re working ‘for’ them. This one made it feel like we were working ‘with’ her. Don’t let that make you think she wasn’t ‘Big Boss’ either. It feels like she was always on some cool project, revamping some kind of process, or having really tough conversations in efforts to better care for the employees and the patients. She unites, inspires, and follows through. Every time. I also really appreciated the authenticity and transparency that she shared. She really humanized the whole workplace, just in being present. I learned so much and grew tremendously. I’ve experienced difficult bosses transforming the best workplace into something I couldn’t bare. Having Molly as a boss, taught me that the best bosses make the worst of circumstances feel like a cake walk…. during an earthquake, but still a cake walk.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Crystal Valdez. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, which is the highest level of licensure awarded to a Social Worker in Texas. I chose to specialize in Mental Health and Substance Abuse for my graduate degree. I’ve been able to really lean into that and have recently founded my own Mental Health Therapy Practice. I provide individual, couples, and group therapy at Dose of Changes, LLC. My typical client is someone who is aware of intergenerational trauma and its impact on them. What I really appreciate about my work is that I am able to implement things like books, writing, art, and leverage the connections people have with their interests to support them while they recover and find relief. My clients often share their appreciation of how genuine and authentically I hold space for them. I’m proud of the advanced training I’m pursuing and the programs I’ve got in the works. When people hear about me or my business, I want them to hear that there’s ingenuity in the works. That the Clinician and Owner improves and elevates the standard for mental health treatment. There’s so much growth coming. We’re in the planting stage and preparing to realize some ideas that are near and dear to my heart.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

I think in any field it’s important to take care of your mental health and this one is no different. I actually had a trainer, Rebecca Kase, LCSW, RYT put the work we do into a cool little phrase. She described that as a clinician we are often times “lending our nervous system” to our clients during times of co-regulation. It really stuck with me. I know that in order for me to show up for my clients, I have to show up for myself. Now that I have emerged into this new stage of my life, it’s even more important now. The responsibility to keep up with my needs is raised a notch. I now wear the ‘Owner’ hat in addition to the ‘Therapist’ one I already had on. There’s no way that I could maintain this and do it in a way that makes me proud, if I was not taking care of myself. And I am not trying to maintain, I’m trying to build this little baby up. It’s important when you’re in a helping role to make sure you have enough to poor out. It’s important to know your own warning signs, know how to navigate through stressors, and how to refill your cup. We can’t move forward if we run out of gas, ya know?

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think that there is power in the people. There is a pretty large percentage of my work that comes from word of mouth referrals and colleagues who trust me. I think that I have a gift of being able to connect and collaborate with others, which is beneficial to myself and my clients. I’m not one to shy away from bringing new ideas to the table. I get a lot joy out of seeing who else at the table is ready to eat. I think that my network is full of people who have similar values and ideas. Which means we just keep lifting each other up. I think there’s also a lot to say about what can happen when you learn to lean into your authentic self. I’ve got a story behind me. I’ve got wisdom within me. And I’ve learned how to share that without fear. I’ve put myself out there in different ways and I plan to keep leaning into all of the things that are working, so we can have even more to discuss later on!  

Contact Info:

• Website: doseofchanges.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doseofchangesllc/