Atabex Valles - Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Atabex Valles-Sanchez graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2021 and has been working as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) since May 2023. She was drawn to her profession after working as an HR Specialist where she recognized how employees would go to her for advice on personal matters. She says, "I realized how much I liked listening to them and helping them navigate through their feelings and thoughts."
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Atabex's professional focus includes working with teens, families, women, and couples. She is originally from Puerto Rico and is fluent in both Spanish and English. When Atabex is not in the office she loves spending time with her family and implementing self-care through working out. She says, "I used to be a professional dancer and once in a while I'm part of community activities where I dance or I teach dance; and sometimes I go to dance classes as a way of exercise." Something interesting about Atabex is that she was the first girl in her middle school to choose industrial arts as an elective. She says, "It was seen as a 'boys' elective while all the girls were taking home economics. After I started going, other girls followed and took the class too."
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Atabex is married and has two children. She is passionate about supporting causes that help protect animals against cruelty and harm; and she also volunteers at her church.
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Atabex is working toward continuing her education in the therapy field. She states, "I'm always looking to refresh knowledge and learn new information through conferences and courses."
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One piece of advice Atabex likes to give to her clients is, "Life is a rollercoaster. It's a ride with sharp curves, downhills, and uphills. You need to enjoy when you are on top and face the drops with healthy strategies to manage fears, anxieties, or sadness with the hope you will go up again."