Therapist Spotlight: Dulci Sánchez Valdez
Quick answer: Dulci Sánchez Valdez is a therapist at Austin Mindfulness Center in Austin, Texas. In this therapist spotlight interview, she shares why she became a counselor, how she incorporates mindfulness like mindful eating and mindful walks into sessions, and the one skill she'd teach the world: the importance of breathing.
Choosing a therapist is easier when you know the person behind the title. In this spotlight, we sat down with Dulci Sánchez Valdez to talk about her path to counseling, how she practices self-care, and what mindfulness looks like in her sessions.
What made Dulci decide to become a counselor?
Several experiences pointed her toward counseling—starting with a grade-school exercise where classmates wrote one nice sentence about each other, and hers said she was someone people could come to.
That theme followed her through life. She was also taken to therapy as a kid and didn't have the best experience—she felt there was a hidden agenda and that she wasn't being heard—and she wanted to do better. Later, early in her career in a non-therapy job, she noticed her role was only part of what could be helping families, and she saw a need for more therapists.
What one skill would she teach the world?
The importance of breathing.
"I think sometimes we get caught in the hustle and bustle of things and don't realize its effect on our body and how much breathing plays into that and how helpful a tool it can be."
Has she personally been in counseling?
Yes—and she learned that the world isn't carried on her shoulders, and that in setting boundaries we can help others as well as ourselves.
That firsthand experience of being on the client's side of the room shapes how she shows up for her own clients.
What book does she recommend to clients?
Self-Help That Works: Resources to Improve Emotional Health and Strengthen Relationships, by John C. Norcross, PhD, and colleagues.
She admits she sometimes prefers the movie version of things—but she also loves textbooks. "I think everyone learns and takes in information differently and this helps facilitate that."
Who is her ideal client?
She doesn't think there is one—anyone seeking therapy is already taking a really big step, and that itself is awesome.
If you're considering that step, our individual adult counseling page is a good place to see what working with a therapist looks like.
How does she practice self-care?
As a self-described huge introvert, she regains energy through time alone—balanced with time with the family she loves.
Her toolbox includes time indoors and outdoors, cooking, listening to music, organizing around the house (while listening to music), and—importantly—ice cream.
How does she incorporate mindfulness into sessions?
She finds mindfulness extremely useful in her own life and in sessions, and offers clients several options for practicing it, since everyone takes in the world differently.
Personally, she gravitates toward mindful eating and mindful walks. That flexible, meet-you-where-you-are approach is at the heart of mindfulness-based therapy at our Austin practice.
Her favorite quote
"I can't change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." —Jimmy Dean
And her dream dinner party, at the time of this 2021 interview? Three close friends and relatives she hadn't seen in a while.
Getting to know your therapist matters
Dulci's story—being the person people could come to, wanting to do better than her own early therapy experience, and building a practical mindfulness toolbox—reflects the kind of care Austin Mindfulness Center aims to provide every client.
Getting started. Ready to find a therapist who fits? Whether you're looking for adult counseling in person in Austin or online therapy anywhere in Texas, we can match you with the right person.
Frequently asked questions
What mindfulness practices does Dulci Sánchez Valdez use with clients?
She offers several options tailored to each client, and personally gravitates toward mindful eating and mindful walks.
Why did Dulci become a therapist?
A lifelong pattern of being someone people could come to, a childhood therapy experience she wanted to improve upon, and seeing firsthand the need for more therapists while working with families in an earlier career.
How do I know if a therapist is a good fit for me?
Fit matters as much as credentials—look for someone whose approach and personality feel comfortable to you. Austin Mindfulness Center offers personalized scheduling assistance to help match you with the right therapist.
Get started with a therapist at Austin Mindfulness Center—in person in Austin or online across Texas.
