Jayme Valdez, MA, LMHC is a licensed mental health counselor and the owner of Clearview OCD Counseling, LLC, the first outpatient clinic in Central Massachusetts dedicated exclusively to the treatment of OCD and Related Disorders. She also serves as seminar faculty at Boston College and formerly served on the Boards of Directors for OCD Rhode Island and OCD Massachusetts. With over two decades of experience, Ms. Valdez specializes in the treatment of taboo and bizarre mental intrusions, “treatment- resistant” OCD, the intersections of OCD and addiction, and the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and other underserved communities.

As a passionate educator and advocate, Ms. Valdez collaborates with medical professionals, clinicians, and community organizations to improve diagnostic accuracy and access to evidence-based treatments for OCD. She regularly provides training and consultation to doctors, nurses, therapists, schools, and families to increase awareness of the many ways OCD can present, especially in its more misunderstood or stigmatized forms.

As the founder and Clinical Director of Clearview OCD Counseling, Ms. Valdez leads a team of clinicians trained in ERP, ACT, and other evidence-based approaches. In addition to her Central Massachusetts location, she recently opened a second office serving the Boston MetroWest area. Through her active membership with the International OCD Foundation, Ms. Valdez frequently speaks at conferences and volunteers her time to community education and professional training efforts.

Ms. Valdez earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapies from Lesley University. During graduate school, she interned on the Trauma and Dissociative Disorders Inpatient Unit at McLean Hospital and at domestic violence shelters, working directly with survivors of abuse, assault, and trafficking. She also developed an innovative mental health program for at-risk and homeless LGBTQIA+ youth on the North Shore of Massachusetts in partnership with the Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth.

Her advocacy work began early: at age 15, she founded the first gay-straight alliance in a Maryland public school and successfully lobbied the school board to include “sexual orientation” in its non-discrimination policy—impacting and safeguarding thousands of students in the decades since. Today, she continues to champion awareness of misunderstood OCD subtypes and is recognized as a leading expert on taboo OCD themes as well as the concurrent treatment of anxiety disorders and addiction.

When she’s not working, Jayme enjoys spending time with her partner, kids, and dog. She loves all things sparkly, creative, and one-of-a-kind, and can often be found making art, daydreaming, or finding beauty in unexpected places. She believes in savoring life’s moments—especially those that invite you to show how resilient you can be when you stand up, stay brave, and keep going anyway. Jayme lives by the motto: “It’s a short life: make it a good one.”

During this episode, we discuss:

• What Jayme offers at her clinic
• The safe space that she provides for her clients
• What sets her practice apart from others
• How Jayme got started in advocacy work at a young age
• The importance of helping other people
• Jayme’s career path that led her to starting her own practice
• How she prioritizes her own self-care
• Advice she would give to others pursuing a career in mental health

And more. Tune into this episode as we dive into all things mental health counseling!

Watch the episode on YouTube here.

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