Lourdes Valdes, Ph.D.

08/24/2026

I've been thinking about the conversations happening around the Lindsay Clancy trial. Early in my career, I spent years on a postpartum depression research study in Pittsburgh, listening to hundreds of women describe what those first months with a new baby really felt like — the exhaustion that didn't feel like "just tired," the fear they couldn't quite name, the wondering if anyone would take them seriously.

This article isn't really about the trial. It's about what happens when a woman says "something is wrong" and no one knows what to do with that. A hard read, but an important one.

Why does the Lindsay Clancy case feel so unsettling for so many women? It may tap into a familiar fear: knowing something is wrong and wondering whether anyone is listening.

08/19/2026

Bedtime battles with your teen? There might be more going on than stubbornness.

Sleep and teen depression feed each other — poor sleep can trigger the very mood struggles it's often blamed on. Here's what's happening in a teenager's brain, and how parents can help.

The teenage years are often characterized by a "perfect storm" of biological, social, and academic pressures. While a certain level of moodiness or late-night

08/18/2026

What happens when ADHD is viewed through the lens of culture, gender, biology, and systemic bias?

Join us for an important conversation about ADHD in women of color and the ways cultural expectations, hormonal changes, caregiving demands, and healthcare disparities can shape how symptoms are experienced, understood, diagnosed, and treated.

This virtual presentation will explore how clinicians can move beyond missed or misdiagnosed ADHD toward ethical, equitable, strengths-based, and affirming care.

Participants will learn to:
• Recognize systemic factors contributing to diagnostic disparities
• Distinguish culturally adaptive coping from core ADHD symptoms
• Develop collaborative, strengths-based care plans grounded in autonomy, informed consent, and beneficence

When: Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at 12:00–1:30 PM CST
How: Virtual

Ethics CEs available for LPCs, LMFTs, Social Workers, Psychologists, and Organizers

Presented by Sonia Syed Rehman, PhD, neuropsychologist and published scholar committed to reducing barriers to affirming, high-quality care for diverse communities.

Register at http://www.adda-sr.org

Can’t attend live? Register to receive the recording and watch on demand.

08/17/2026

07/25/2026

07/18/2026

Back-to-school season isn't just about supplies and schedules — it's a real transition, and it's completely normal for kids (and parents!) to feel a little anxious about it.

In my latest post, I share practical, age-by-age ways to help your child feel emotionally ready for the year ahead — not just logistically prepared. From morning routines that ease anxiety to how to actually talk with your middle schooler about peer pressure (hint: "just say no" isn't enough), there's something here whether you have a kindergartener starting for the first time or a teen heading off to college.
Read the full post here: https://drvaldes.net/easing-back-to-school-anxiety/

Bilingual anxiety psychologist in Katy, TX. Evidence-based therapy in English and Spanish for children, teens, and adults.

07/14/2026

Many people are surprised to learn that they can use their out-of-network insurance benefits to help pay for therapy.

If you've ever assumed that seeing a psychologist outside your insurance network would be too expensive or too complicated, you may be pleasantly surprised. In many cases, the process is simpler than people expect, and reimbursement can make high-quality, personalized care much more affordable.

I put together this brief guide to explain how out-of-network benefits work, what to expect, and a few common questions I hear from families.

I hope it helps make the process feel a little less confusing. Read the article here:
https://drvaldes.net/out-of-network-therapy-benefits/

07/12/2026

A comic about scars

05/22/2026