Generated by All in One SEO v5.0.0.1, this is an llms.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site.

# Irene Velasco

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | Vallejo CA

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://irenevelasco.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Irene's Blog](https://irenevelasco.com/irenes-blog/)
- [When Your Emotional Brain Isn’t Honored: The Invisible Pain in Relationships](https://irenevelasco.com/when-your-emotional-brain-isnt-honored-the-invisible-pain-in-relationships/) - It’s a quiet kind of heartbreak—being in a relationship with someone who doesn’t honor your emotional brain. For many of us—especially immigrants or adult children of immigrants—the need for true connection runs deep. We carry invisible stories and wounds, shaped by a history of survival, sacrifice, and sometimes silence. We crave emotional intimacy: the comfort
- [When Heartbreak Deserves Empathy](https://irenevelasco.com/when-heartbreak-deserves-empathy/) - We talk about breakups as if they’re just a normal part of life—something everyone goes through and something that shouldn’t require much attention or time. But what I see in the therapy room, and what I know from my clinical experience, is that breakups can cut much deeper than people expect. What we need most
- [Why I Wrote My Book—and Why It’s for You](https://irenevelasco.com/why-i-wrote-my-book-and-why-its-for-you/) - I wrote my book, Read More Post Less: A Filipino Father Who Had No Word for Empathy, and the Daughter Who Didn’t Need One, in the middle of some of the hardest and most transformative seasons of my life. What began as a personal reckoning became a journey of healing, advocacy, and self-discovery—not only for
- [Authenticity in Relationships: When Attachment and Truth Collide (Part 3)](https://irenevelasco.com/authenticity-in-relationships-when-attachment-and-truth-collide-part-3/) - When I first wrote about authenticity, I was amazed by how deeply it resonated with readers. This is the third post in my series on authenticity. You can revisit Part 1 [here] and Part 2 [here].In a world saturated with performance—online, at work, even at home—so many of us hunger for something quieter and more
- [Mother’s Day, Empathy, and the Stories We Carry](https://irenevelasco.com/mothers-day-empathy-and-the-stories-we-carry/) - Mother’s Day brings a swirl of emotions for many people—joy, gratitude, longing, grief, ambivalence, or sometimes even relief. As a therapist, an immigrant, and a mother to a 10-year-old autistic daughter, I often find myself holding many of these feelings at once. The Full Spectrum of Motherhood In my own life, I make space for
- [When Authenticity Gets Messy (Part 2)](https://irenevelasco.com/when-authenticity-gets-messy-part-2/) - We talk so much about authenticity—what it is, how to do it, why it matters. But here’s the reality: the moment you actually try to live it, things get complicated. What Happens After the Performance Ends After my last post, I thought the hardest part was over. I pictured myself feeling lighter, more “real,” as
- [Are You Authentic — Or Are You Just Performing Authenticity?](https://irenevelasco.com/207091-2/) - We hear it everywhere. From podcasts. From social media. At family gatherings, professional events, and from friends who mean well. Authenticity. Be authentic. Live authentically. Show up as your authentic self. It has become the ultimate buzzword of our time — almost like a constitution we all swear by. And don’t get me wrong. Authenticity
- [When the Past Finds You: Shame, Survival, and the Stories We Don’t Tell](https://irenevelasco.com/when-the-past-finds-you-shame-survival-and-the-stories-we-dont-tell/) - There are parts of your story you’ve never told anyone. Not because you’re hiding for the thrill of it, but because you’re protecting something—yourself, your family, your reputation, your sense of belonging. These aren’t just “mistakes.” They’re the moments you decided to survive, no matter the cost. What Would You Do To Survive? Truth is,
- [What No One Tells You About Growing Up in an Immigrant Household](https://irenevelasco.com/what-no-one-tells-you-about-growing-up-in-an-immigrant-household/) - If you grew up in an immigrant household, chances are you heard it before you even knew what it meant: respect your elders. It wasn't a suggestion. It wasn't a conversation. It was simply the rule — unspoken on most days, but always present, like the air in the room. You learned early that questioning

## Pages

- [Home](https://irenevelasco.com/) - Irene Velasco is a multilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in anxiety and depression therapy and immigration and acculturation issues.
- [About](https://irenevelasco.com/about-irene-velasco-lmft/) - Irene Velasco is a multilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in anxiety and depression therapy and immigration and acculturation issues.
- [Contact](https://irenevelasco.com/contact/) - Contact Irene Velasco who is a multilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in anxiety and depression therapy and immigration and acculturation issues.
- [Services](https://irenevelasco.com/services-anxiety-and-depression-therapy/) - Irene Velasco is a multilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in anxiety and depression therapy and immigration and acculturation issues.
- [FAQ](https://irenevelasco.com/frequently-asked-questions/) - Learn what to expect when working with Irene Velasco who is a multilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in anxiety and depression therapy and immigration and acculturation issues.
- [Cookie Policy](https://irenevelasco.com/cookie-policy/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.24.2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] data-policy-key=”SzNOeVpIUmFTWHBXT1M5WVNWRTlQUT09″ data-extra=”h-align=left&table-style=accordion” Please wait while the policy is loaded. If it does not load, please click here. [/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
- [No Surprises Act](https://irenevelasco.com/no-surprises-act/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.2″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Notice to clients and prospective clients: Under the law, healthcare providers need to give clients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services, including psychotherapy services. You have
- [Accessibility](https://irenevelasco.com/accessibility/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″] Accessibility Statement for Irene Velasco This is an accessibility statement from Irene Velasco. Measures to support accessibility Irene Velasco takes the following measures to ensure accessibility of Irene Velasco: Include accessibility throughout our internal policies. Conformance status The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) defines
- [Terms of Service](https://irenevelasco.com/terms-of-service/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.10.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] data-policy-key=”SzI1V2JUWkRNR3N3T1cxcFUwRTlQUT09″ data-extra=”table-style=accordion” [/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
- [Privacy Policy](https://irenevelasco.com/privacy-policy/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.3.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.10.5″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″] data-policy-key=”ZWpCck4zbEVTbU5pSzA5cE0wRTlQUT09″ data-extra=”table-style=accordion” [/et_pb_code][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
- [Service Template](https://irenevelasco.com/service-template-1234/) - [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.22.3″ transparent_background=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Anxiety and Depression” text_orientation=”right” header_fullscreen=”on” button_one_text=”Contact” button_one_url=”https://irenevelasco.com/contact-lisa-carruthers-psychologist/” background_overlay_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” content_max_width=”none” title_tablet=”Anxiety and Depression” title_phone=”” title_last_edited=”on|desktop” content_tablet=”” content_phone=”” content_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Anxiety and Depression” module_id=”header” module_class=”et-waypoint fadein-animated” _builder_version=”4.9.1″ title_font_size=”44px” content_font=”||on||” content_font_size=”26px” subhead_font=”||on||” subhead_font_size=”24px” background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” background_image=”https://irenevelasco.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/9-scaled.jpg” custom_button_one=”on” button_one_text_color=”#ffffff” button_one_bg_color=”#878DCA” button_one_border_color=”#878DCA” button_one_use_icon=”off” custom_button_two=”on” button_two_text_color=”#ffffff” button_two_bg_color=”#000000″ button_two_border_color=”#000000″ max_width_tablet=”50px” hover_enabled=”0″ title_font_size_tablet=”30px” title_font_size_phone=”24px”

## Projects

- [Project One](https://irenevelasco.com/project/project-one/) - Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur tincidunt mollis ante non volutpat. Nam consequat diam nec leo rutrum tempus. Nulla accumsan eros nec sem tempus scelerisque. Morbi tincidunt risus magna, posuere lobortis felis. Donec at vehicula risus. Cras vel sollicitudin ipsum. Etiam tincidunt placerat enim, a rhoncus eros sodales ut. Lorem ipsum dolor sit
- [Project Two](https://irenevelasco.com/project/project-two/) - Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur tincidunt mollis ante non volutpat. Nam consequat diam nec leo rutrum tempus. Nulla accumsan eros nec sem tempus scelerisque. Morbi tincidunt risus magna, posuere lobortis felis. Donec at vehicula risus. Cras vel sollicitudin ipsum. Etiam tincidunt placerat enim, a rhoncus eros sodales ut. Lorem ipsum dolor sit
- [Project Three](https://irenevelasco.com/project/project-three/) - Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur tincidunt mollis ante non volutpat. Nam consequat diam nec leo rutrum tempus. Nulla accumsan eros nec sem tempus scelerisque. Morbi tincidunt risus magna, posuere lobortis felis. Donec at vehicula risus. Cras vel sollicitudin ipsum. Etiam tincidunt placerat enim, a rhoncus eros sodales ut. Lorem ipsum dolor sit
- [Project Four](https://irenevelasco.com/project/project-four/) - Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Curabitur tincidunt mollis ante non volutpat. Nam consequat diam nec leo rutrum tempus. Nulla accumsan eros nec sem tempus scelerisque. Morbi tincidunt risus magna, posuere lobortis felis. Donec at vehicula risus. Cras vel sollicitudin ipsum. Etiam tincidunt placerat enim, a rhoncus eros sodales ut. Lorem ipsum dolor sit
- [Project Five](https://irenevelasco.com/project/project-five/) - [et_pb_section admin_label=”section” transparent_background=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” inner_shadow=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” make_equal=”off” use_custom_gutter=”off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” use_custom_gutter=”off” custom_padding=”80px||80px|” padding_mobile=”off” allow_player_pause=”off” parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off” make_equal=”off” parallax_1=”off” parallax_method_1=”off” column_padding_mobile=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_gallery admin_label=”Gallery” gallery_ids=”201971,201963,201964,201969″ fullwidth=”on” show_title_and_caption=”off” show_pagination=”off” background_layout=”light” auto=”on” auto_speed=”5000″ hover_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.9)” hover_icon=”%%43%%” caption_all_caps=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] Project Five Lorem ipsum dolor sit

## Categories

- [Health Counseling](https://irenevelasco.com/category/health-counseling/)
- [Individual Therapy](https://irenevelasco.com/category/individual-therapy/)
- [Family Threapy](https://irenevelasco.com/category/family-therapy/)
- [Couples Therapy](https://irenevelasco.com/category/couples-therapy/)
- [Books and Literature](https://irenevelasco.com/category/books-and-literature/)

## Tags

- [authenticity](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/authenticity/)
- [self-reflection](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/self-reflection/)
- [mental health](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/mental-health/)
- [self-awareness](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/self-awareness/)
- [genuine living](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/genuine-living/)
- [performance](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/performance/)
- [vulnerability](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/vulnerability/)
- [personal growth](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/personal-growth/)
- [identity](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/identity/)
- [emotional health](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/emotional-health/)
- [mother’s day](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/mothers-day/)
- [motherhood](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/motherhood/)
- [empathy](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/empathy/)
- [self-care](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/self-care/)
- [family](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/family/)
- [relationships](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/relationships/)
- [grief](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/grief/)
- [immigrant families](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/immigrant-families/)
- [parenthood](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/parenthood/)
- [attachment](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/attachment/)
- [self-worth](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/self-worth/)
- [congruence](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/congruence/)
- [boundaries](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/boundaries/)
- [real connection](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/real-connection/)
- [letting go](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/letting-go/)
- [comparison](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/comparison/)
- [cultural humility](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/cultural-humility/)
- [trauma](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/trauma/)
- [healing](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/healing/)
- [memoir](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/memoir/)
- [Filipino immigrant](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/filipino-immigrant/)
- [neurodiversity](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/neurodiversity/)
- [therapy](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/therapy/)
- [resilience](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/resilience/)
- [self-discovery](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/self-discovery/)
- [Gabor Maté](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/gabor-mate/)
- [Bessel van der Kolk](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/bessel-van-der-kolk/)
- [book launch](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/book-launch/)
- [self-compassion](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/self-compassion/)
- [heartbreak](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/heartbreak/)
- [Filipino voices](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/filipino-voices/)
- [breakups](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/breakups/)
- [emotional wellness](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/emotional-wellness/)
- [immigrant stories](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/immigrant-stories/)
- [self-acceptance](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/self-acceptance/)
- [emotional intimacy](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/emotional-intimacy/)
- [emotional intelligence](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/emotional-intelligence/)
- [validation](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/validation/)
- [connection](https://irenevelasco.com/tag/connection/)

## Project Categories

- [Design](https://irenevelasco.com/project_category/design/)
- [Web](https://irenevelasco.com/project_category/web/)