Dr. Valerie Christian is a licensed psychologist in California. She specializes in treating trauma, childhood abuse, chronic illness, and obesity-related psychological challenges. Dr. Christian also works with children, adolescents, and adults coping with complex emotional and medical issues, including those preparing for or recovering from bariatric surgery. She shares her clinical expertise and insights on the LifeStance Health blog.
Authored by Valerie Christian
Valerie Christian is an expert medical author at LifeStance Health. The following publications have been authored by Valerie Christian.
Apr 27, 2026 | 4 MIN READ
How to Overcome Social Anxiety: Recognizing Symptoms and Effective Solutions
This content has been updated from the previous article published on January 20, 2026. Social anxiety disorder, also known as social phobia, is a mental...
Sep 18, 2025 | 4 MIN READ
What Is People Pleasing? Signs, Causes, and How Therapy Can Help
Many of us want to be liked, but when the drive to please others overshadows our own needs, it can become a pattern known as...
Nov 26, 2025 | 5 MIN READ
What Is Atypical Depression? Understanding Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
This content has been updated from the previous article published on November 26, 2025. Depression affects about 16 million American adults every year , but...
Feb 25, 2026 | 7 MIN READ
The Psychological Benefits of Comfort Objects
This content has been updated from the previous article on December 16, 2025. A recent viral story about Punch, an abandoned baby Japanese macaque at...
Dec 17, 2025 | 5 MIN READ
What Is Gentle Parenting? A Therapist Explains the Definition, Pros, and Cons
Gentle parenting has become one of the most searched-for parenting styles today. On TikTok and Instagram, creators share scripts, vlogs, and advice under hashtags like...
Apr 22, 2026 | 4 MIN READ
Signs of Schizophrenia in Teens: What Parents Need to Know
This content has been updated from the previous article published on March 9, 2021. Recognizing the early signs of schizophrenia in teens is important for...
May 05, 2026 | 4 MIN READ
Teen Mental Health: What Parents Need to Know
Mental Health America’s (MHA) 2025 report ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia on youth mental health, measuring both prevalence of mental illness...
Jun 05, 2026 | 5 MIN READ
What Euphoria Gets Right About Addiction and Grief, Explained by a Psychologist
HBO’s Euphoria didn’t just end with a fictional overdose. It ended carrying the weight of a real one. For those unfamiliar with the series, Euphoria...
Reviewed by Valerie Christian
Valerie Christian is an expert medical reviewer at LifeStance Health. The following publications have been medically reviewed by Valerie Christian.
Feb 09, 2026 | 6 MIN READ
How Psychiatric Service Dogs Provide Support for Mental Health
What are Psychiatric Service Dogs? This content has been updated from the previous article on May 22, 2024. Psychiatric service dogs and support/assistance dogs (formerly...
Sep 17, 2025 | 5 MIN READ
Life Transitions Therapy: How Counseling Can Help You Navigate Change
Life transitions are, well—life. They happen to everyone, shaping the course of our relationships, careers, identities, and sense of purpose. Bruce Feiler, author of Life...
Oct 03, 2025 | 5 MIN READ
How the “5-to-9 Before 9-to-5” Trend Can Lead to Wellness Perfectionism
Scroll through TikTok or Instagram, and you will quickly see how much space wellness routines take up in today’s online culture. Influencers post carefully edited...
Oct 06, 2025 | 3 MIN READ
Surviving Infidelity: Expert Advice on Rebuilding Trust After Cheating
Infidelity may turn your world upside down, leaving you feeling hurt, betrayed, and confused. If you’re asking yourself, “How do I heal from being cheated...
Oct 08, 2025 | 6 MIN READ
Weaponized Incompetence Explained: From Everyday Examples to Solutions
What Is Weaponized Incompetence? Weaponized incompetence is when someone pretends to be bad at a task or exaggerates their lack of ability so that another...
Nov 03, 2025 | 5 MIN READ
How To Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving and Every Day
Thanksgiving reminds us to give thanks, but small daily moments of gratitude can have a lasting impact on mental health and well-being. Many people have...
Oct 27, 2025 | 6 MIN READ
Support/Assistance Animals vs. Therapy Animals vs. Service Animals: What You Need to Know
Animals have a remarkable ability to help soothe, connect, and heal. Whether it is the quiet comfort of a cat resting beside you, the grounding...
Oct 31, 2025 | 4 MIN READ
Why Play Isn’t Just for Kids—and How It Can Heal Your Mind
During a stressful season in my life a few years ago, navigating a move, wedding, and career change, I found myself mindlessly scrolling during any...
Dec 01, 2025 | 6 MIN READ
Two Skills Every Parent Needs to Reduce Conflict When Raising a Child With ADHD
Parenting a child with ADHD can feel like living in a whirlwind, one minute calm, the next filled with chaos over simple routines like getting...
