Ana Valenzuela was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. At the age of 15, her family migrated to Pasadena, Texas. She graduated from Sam Rayburn High school. Obtained an Associate Degree in Behavioral Sciences from San Jacinto College-Central, Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston Clearlake in both Psychology Sociology, currently I hold a Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Walden University.

 

Ana is a Bilingual English/Spanish Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), National Certify Counselor (NCC), and a Certify Trauma and Reliance Trainer.

 

She is also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) Walden University Chapter, Walden University Ambassador, Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas, Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International), The International Honor Society in Psychology (Psi Chi). In addition, she is a recipient of the Phenomenal Women Global Award 2021.

 

Currently, she is the Executive Director at Clearhope Counseling & Wellness Center. Has 14 years of experience as a Behavioral Health Clinician and is an experienced Team Leader, program developer, and community mental health advocate. Ana’s experience includes working with clients of various ages and anxiety, depression, grief, parenting, sexual abuse, domestic violence, trauma, school issues, anger issues, and family issues.

 

She has worked in The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (Formerly Known as MHMRA), Houston Area Women’s Center, and Southwest Key.

 

Ana also specializes in working with families in the reunification process for separation due to various life circumstances and conducts Psychosocial Evaluations for individuals undergoing the immigration process. In addition, she has experience working with adults, young children, teens, youths, and juveniles in crisis. Ana strives to help other mental health professionals grow and become confident in mental health services.

 

Why mental health matters to me:

Growing up, I closely experience the damaging impact lack of mental health services had on individuals in my family. I moved to the US from a country where mental health continues to be dismissed and ignored until this day. Those that attempt to remove the access barriers are quickly shot down and judged. I committed to ensuring I talk about, embrace, promote, advocate, and provide high-quality mental health services to families, mainly Spanish-speaking people in my community.

Mental health plays an essential role in thinking, feeling, socializing, developing, and acting. Therefore, as a society, we must continue to give mental health the importance that it deserves.

 

Why the mission and vision of Clearhope Counseling are important for our communities:

Removing access barriers to high-quality mental health services represents what our community needs.  Clearhope's mission is not only written on a piece of paper. The mission is lived and embraced daily through the services, care, and hope offered for our community. I know my family member could have benefited from having such a place 18 years ago.

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