Meet the Team: Interview with Valencia Harriott, PhD - Licensed Clinical Psychologist

THE PERSON

What are your pronouns?

Thank you for asking! My pronouns are she/her/hers.

Outside of your work as a psychologist, what are your interests?

I’m a creative person at heart. I love dancing, singing, listening to music, and at the moment I’m learning to play guitar. My faith is also very important to me. I attend church most Sundays, and I enjoy volunteering whenever I can.

How do you take care of yourself?

Some “regulars” in my self-care routine are yoga, journaling, listening to uplifting music, and connecting with family and friends who love me. Sometimes though, taking care of myself just looks like eating a healthy dinner and going to bed early.

What’s a book you frequently recommend?

One book I recommend is Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…And It’s All Small Stuff by Richard Carlson. It’s a quick read I came across for the first time while spending a night in an AirBnB. I appreciated its gentle wisdom – in fact, I’m due to read this one again.

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THE WORK

What inspired you to enter the field of mental health?

My compassion for and interest in people has been lifelong. As the youngest daughter of a pastor, I gained a deep appreciation for the fact that people’s needs go beyond the physical (e.g., food, water, shelter). I cared to know what helps people thrive through difficult circumstances, and I wanted to be a part of pointing others towards the possibility of peace, joy, and life purpose.

How would you describe your approach to therapy?

I primarily use a cognitive behavioral approach to therapy. Additionally, I value my clients’ identities, cultural background, and strengths. My hope is that my clients leave therapy not just with skills to help them journey through life’s challenges, but with a greater sense of self-compassion and mindfulness.

What do you love most about working with clients?

Some of my favorite moments with clients are when we’re truly working together on whatever the client is going through. The client is in the groove, I’m in the groove, and we’re both in the groove together. I love when we’re able to step back – even for just a second – to share a laugh together. I love that, over the course of therapy, there is almost always at least one moment when the heaviness that’s been brought in is outshined by the lightness that’s there too.

How does science influence your work as a therapist?

My educational experiences and training have always encouraged me to follow the science. “What does the research say?” is, instinctively, one of the first things I ask myself when faced with a new challenge. In therapy, this means I favor interventions that have been shown to be effective, and I strive to stay informed about approaches that may be helpful for my clients.


THE BIGGER PICTURE

What are you most passionate about within the mental health landscape?

I’m passionate about acknowledging the reality of systemic injustice that makes living a joyful life harder for some than for others, and I’m passionate about making the world of mental health more inclusive.

What do you wish more people knew about therapy?

I wish more people knew that progress in therapy is often non-linear, and that the willingness to keep showing up for oneself (and to sessions!) is a big deal.

How do you see mental health care changing over the next 5-10 years?

I think a holistic view of mental health and mental health care will be more commonplace. How factors such as physical health, community well-being and positive representation, and financial security impact mental health and vice versa will be more clearly understood by everyone. I also think it would be cool if outdoor therapy became a thing!

Interested in booking a session with Val? Send us a message or schedule a consultation with a Care Coordinator to get started.