Santos Vales, Ph.D.

He/him/his

Supervising Psychologist

Santos Vales, Ph.D, is a native New Yorker, is a bilingual, bicultural (Puerto Rican descendant), English/Spanish speaking Clinical Psychologist currently in private practice licensed by the state of New York. He is also the resident clinical supervisor for the Psychological Center, the training clinic for the City College of New York, clinical psychology doctoral program. He completed his Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology at Teachers College/Columbia University. That was followed by his continued training as an Intern in the Clinical Psychology Program at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center where upon completion he continued his career for 23 years as a staff clinical psychologist and as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons. His role as an educator included the supervision of trainees within both the New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Clinical Psychology Externship and Internship Programs as well as Psychiatry Interns. In addition to working with trainees, Dr. Vales led a twice monthly consultation supervision group for supervising Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists and Clinical Social Workers.

Dr. Vales works from a psychodynamic (relational/interpersonal) approach with some CBT/DBT when appropriate. He has worked with a diverse population including Bipoc and Non-Bipoc adolescents, adults, geriatric, physically handicapped persons and the LBGTQ community. His areas of treatment focus have included depression, anxiety, complex/generational trauma, stress management, substance abuse, bereavement, relationship issues, aging, and chronic pain just to mention a few. Dr Vales carries a wealth of experience in the treatment of Alcohol and Substance Misuse Disorders. Prior to his training as a clinical psychologist, he was a certified alcohol and substance abuse counselor (CASAC) licensed by the state of New York and worked for many years in many modalities of treatment including Detox, Intensive Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab. Upon completing his internship training he was the alcohol and substance abuse counselor in the New York Presbyterian Outpatient Clinic and in the Psychiatric Emergency Room (CPEP) before moving on to the Latino Psychiatric Community Clinic.

Making the decision to enter the therapy process is usually motivated by experiences in a person’s life that have resulted in loneliness, emptiness and feeling unfulfilled. Sadness, disappointment, and anger over relationships that have failed to satisfy the person’s needs are commonly expressed experiences. Feeling heard and understood generates a sense of hope and stimulates movement toward insight through exploration and examination of one's inner life. 

Establishing a warm, trusting, nurturing, supportive and non-judgmental relationship has been the hallmark of Dr. Vales’ 30+ years of experience as a helping professional. In your work with Dr. Vales, he will offer a framework and a space that can lead to corrective emotional experiences and a more satisfying life and relationships.

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*Dr. Vales is not currently accepting clients but is working within the team to offer quality supervision and training.