Axel Valle, PsyD

Dr. Axel Valle is a licensed clinical psychologist (PSY32979) who provides individual psychotherapy to adolescents and adults. He conducts therapy in both English and Spanish.

He specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and other science-based treatments for anxiety disorders, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

In addition to his work at CPC, Dr. Valle is a Clinical Assistant Professor within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, where he provides therapy in the mood & anxiety, OCD, and PTSD clinics. He also works with Stanford student athletes who struggle with anxiety disorders. Dr. Valle is the co-director of La Clinica Latina, where evidence-based treatments are provided for people who speak Spanish.

Dr. Valle has diverse international clinical experience. He earned his Psy.D in clinical psychology from The Wright Institute, in Berkeley. Prior to his doctoral training in the U.S., Dr. Valle earned an M.A. at Tel-Aviv University, in Israel where he specialized in crisis & trauma. He also provided therapy in private practice with young adults struggling with phobias and anxiety disorders in Mexico City, where he also holds a license as clinical psychologist. Dr. Valle was also an adjunct professor at Universidad Iberoamericana, in Mexico City.

“I find the work of being a therapist highly inspiring. Pain, fear, and struggle are universal experiences that sometimes make us feel stuck. Being able to see my clients increase their agency and regain control of their lives is my favorite part of therapy, and gives me hope.

I see therapy as a space where we can take an honest look together at what is going on with your life and figure out ways to deal with what you might be struggling with. A space where we collaborate to figure out and change patterns of thinking and behavior that are sometimes not the most effective ways of dealing with stress. A place to develop tools and learn skills to practice to reclaim your life.

When we collaborate, I often suggest exposure as a way of dealing with fears or anxieties, so you can live more mindfully. What that means is to embark on a process where you voluntarily take steps to gain clarity and confront what keeps you feeling stuck. And like I often say to my clients, you don’t have to do it alone. While the road ahead sometimes looks bumpy, I’ll be by your side and you are ultimately in the driver’s seat, as we move through the journey of therapy together. Sometimes, confronting our fears and anxieties is not about “getting rid of” the fear, but about learning that you are braver than you might think and able to face such fears, so you can engage in what you value in life.

Colleagues and clients have described my style and approach as kind, light-hearted, and frank. While I do my best to make the most out of our sessions together, I also want to make sure you feel comfortable to share and work on anything that you consider important, in a warm and trusting environment.”