Valerie Kolone, PsyD

Dr. Valerie Kolone is a licensed psychologist in California providing mental health services to pregnant and postpartum mothers, infants, toddlers, young children, adolescents, and adults seeking help/support for trauma, chronic illness, and/or grief/loss. With nearly 25 years of clinical experience, she has obtained multiple certifications, which enhance her skill set to assist others to optimize functioning. Certifications include perinatal mood and anxiety, infant mental health, infant massage, grief/loss, neuro-nutrition, and integrated mental health. Specialized training includes Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO), Neuro-Relational Framework (NRF), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Incredible Years (IY). She holds an endorsement from the California Center as being one of few Orange County clinicians recognized as an Infant Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist (IFECMHS). She passionately shares her education about the mind/body interaction influencing mood, decisions, and relationships, as well as how the nervous system is related to overall functioning. Her specialized skill set assists others to maximize benefits in whatever circumstance brings you to therapy.

Prior to joining Harbor Psychiatry and Mental Health, Dr Kolone provided services to children and their families involved in child welfare. Dr Kolone is well trained in screening, assessing and providing short- and long-term therapeutic services. She has extensive experience working with babies prenatally exposed to drugs, alcohol and/or trauma, impaired parent-child relationships, children/teens with a history of trauma, depression with and without suicidal ideation, anxiety, autism, attention deficit, and/or grief/loss needing crisis management or a linkage to outpatient or inpatient care.

From the first session, she actively listens to concerns in order to partner with the patient to create an individualized treatment plan. She offers a safe environment for sharing and processing thoughts and feelings related to life narratives and assists in identifying maladaptive patterns needing revision. She empowers the patient to make customized choices that might best help one to optimize the brain to full potential and wellness. Depending on the concerns and treatment goals, virtual sessions might include individual therapy, dyad therapy (between parent/child), parental collaterals, and/or family sessions.
You matter. Your story matters. You deserve to be heard and given guidance on your journey to wellness. When you are ready to make changes to a healthier you, she humbly welcomes your presence and considers it her honor to hear you, support you and guide you (or your child) towards emotional regulation and well-being.