Child & Adolescent Therapist
Lesley
Velasquez
APCC #19583 | Associate Professional Clinical Counselor
Part of a collaborative care team with Desiree McLaughlin, LMFT #105097
"Every child and teen deserves someone in their corner , a safe person who listens without judgment and helps them make sense of what they are feeling."
Hablo Español
Hello. I specialize in supporting children, adolescents, and adults who are navigating the weight of trauma, grief, and loss. My work is grounded in the belief that healing is not linear, and that every person deserves a therapist who will meet them exactly where they are , without pressure, without judgment, and without rushing the process.
My path to this work is personal. As a pre-adolescent, I had a therapist who was my advocate during one of the most difficult seasons of my life. That experience shaped everything. I know firsthand what it means to feel truly heard at the right moment, and it is the standard I hold myself to with every client I work with.
I draw on Trauma-Focused CBT, Play Therapy, and Art & Expressive Therapies to create sessions that feel engaging, safe, and genuinely collaborative. For younger clients, I lean heavily into play and creative expression , because children often communicate what they cannot yet put into words through how they play, draw, and create. For adolescents and adults, I work to build insight, coping skills, and a space where their story can unfold at their own pace.
I believe clients are the experts of their own lives. My role is to walk alongside you, help you recognize your own strengths, and support you in building the tools to move forward , on your terms.
Areas of Focus
How I can help your child
Creating a safe, trauma-informed space to process painful experiences at your own pace, build coping skills, and begin to understand how trauma has shaped your thoughts, emotions, and relationships.
Walking alongside you through some of life's most profound losses , whether you are mourning a person, a relationship, an identity, or a chapter of your life that can never return.
Helping clients understand where anxiety and depression come from, and building practical, sustainable skills to manage them , rather than just pushing through alone.
Supporting younger clients through trauma, big emotions, and life transitions using play therapy and expressive approaches that meet them where they are , not where we expect them to be.
Exploring who you are, who you want to become, and how to build genuine confidence , particularly for BIPOC and immigrant clients navigating complex cultural and personal identities.
Helping clients find their footing during major changes , a move, a loss, a shift in family structure, or any season of life that has left you feeling uncertain about what comes next.
Who I Work With
You deserve someone in your corner
My Approach
"I strive to create a space where clients feel heard, understood, and valued , empowered to recognize their own strengths and make meaningful changes at their own pace."
Lesley Velasquez, APCC #19583
Ready to Get Started?
Virtual openings available statewide in California
Taking the first step is often the hardest part. Whether you are reaching out for yourself, your child, or your family, I am here and ready to connect. A free 20-minute consultation gives us a chance to talk about what you are going through and decide together if we are a good fit.
Telehealth available statewide in California • Sessions in English & Spanish
What to Expect
Free 20-min consultation to see if we are the right fit, no commitment required.
Virtual sessions only via secure telehealth , available to all California residents.
Bilingual services offered in English and Spanish.
Insurance accepted: IEHP, United Healthcare, Optum, and Aetna. Private pay accepted. Out-of-network support available. Limited sliding scale spots available.