Meet Dr. Valencia Garcia:
Dr. Garcia is a board-certified psychiatrist with a practice rooted in integrative psychiatry and real connection. She is the founder of Valence Integrative Psychiatry, a telepsychiatry practice seeing adults located in Arizona. Dr. Garcia also holds a special certification in perinatal mental health, the Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C), reflecting advanced training in supporting individuals through pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond.
Perinatal psychiatry is more than just a profession for Dr. Garcia. After experiencing her own life-threatening birth trauma with her second child, she gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the impact reproductive experiences can have on mental health, self-identity, and relationships. Her own healing journey included an integrative approach that continues to guide her work, weaving evidence-based clinical insight with profound respect for each patient’s story to develop an individualized path forward.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Garcia loves spending time with her family, traveling, trying new restaurants, and staying active. Being highly organized and goal-oriented, Dr. Garcia naturally loves the planning process of travel nearly as much as the travel itself. When looking for new restaurants to indulge in, any establishment with a proper chef’s tasting menu is sure to make the list. Dr. Garcia maintains a consistent exercise routine not only to offset the restaurant visits but to aid in maintaining good mental health practices.
Education
- Adult Psychiatry Residency: University of Minnesota. Chief Resident
- Doctor of Medicine: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Capstone Scholar
- Bachelor’s: University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Cum Laude
Certifications
- Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology
- Postpartum Support International Perinatal Mental Health Certification (PMH-C)
Selected Advanced Training
- Nutritional Psychiatry Certificate Program Integrative Psychiatry Institute
- Challenging Cases in Perinatal Psychiatry Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy
Meaning Behind Valence
The word “valence” has meaning in science and emotion. In chemistry, the valence bond theory relates to connection and bonding. In psychology, valence refers to the positive or negative feelings associated with an experience. Together, these meanings are the foundation of Valence Integrative Psychiatry; building a strong therapeutic bond to navigate feelings through any experience.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide attentive, evidence-based psychiatric care that begins with a deep and precise understanding of both your unique medical history and goals. Sleep, nutrition, physical health, hormones, stress, relationships, and daily routines can all influence how you feel. At Valence, these factors are deliberately considered to create a treatment plan that is practical, individualized and clinically sound. Medication may be part of the plan when appropriate, with close attention to effectiveness, side effects, and what matters most to you.
Our Vision
Valence was created to offer a more thoughtful psychiatric experience. Our vision is for patients to feel genuinely listened to, understood, and involved in their care while receiving personalized treatment that is comprehensive, practical, and tailored to their lives. We hope to make psychiatric care easier to access and navigate with telehealth appointments while helping patients make meaningful progress that carries into the years ahead.
Why choose Valence
Care Centered Around You
Each treatment plan is curated around your goals, preferences, values and individual needs.
Psychiatry With Depth
Comprehensive evaluations go beyond just a diagnosis and explore the full picture behind your symptoms.
Thoughtful Visits Without The Rush
Longer appointments allow time for careful listening, meaningful questions and clear communication.
Care Beyond The Prescription
Medication management may be complemented by an evidence-based lifestyle and integrative strategy when appropriate.
At the heart of care
You Should Feel Heard
There should be enough time to explain what has been happening, ask questions and bring up the details that matter to you. Listening closely is an important part of understanding what is going on and deciding what comes next.
Treatment Should Make Sense
You should understand why a treatment is being recommended, what it is meant to help, and what other options may be available. Good psychiatric care should leave room for questions and for you to be part of the decisions about your treatment.
Progress Looks Different
Getting better is not always just a change in symptoms. It may mean sleeping better, thinking more clearly, returning to things you enjoy, functioning better at work or at home, or simply feeling more like yourself again. Those changes matter too.