Passionate Therapy
Experts for Your Evolution

Joelle Rabow Maletis is the founder/CEO and Clinical Supervisor of Vraie Therapy Group, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, trauma specialist, executive coach, and retired professional ballerina. Long before becoming a therapist, Joelle spent years in the world of professional ballet, an experience that taught her about discipline, resilience, and performance, but also the pressure of perfectionism, identity, and the emotional challenges that often exist beneath the surface. Those experiences continue to shape the way she connects with clients today.

Joelle specializes in trauma, PTSD, anxiety, life transitions, and helping people move beyond survival mode into lives rooted in confidence, self trust, and emotional resilience. She integrates evidence based approaches including EMDR, CBT, DBT, CPT, WET, IFS, ACT, somatic therapies, and other trauma informed modalities to create highly personalized treatment plans for each client.

In addition to her clinical work, Joelle has delivered a TEDx talk on trauma, authored a TED Ed lesson on the psychology of PTSD, appeared on ABC’s 60 Minutes: Beyond the Headlines, and serves as an executive coach for leaders at companies including Apple, Google, Netflix, and Zoom.

Joelle believes healing is not about fixing what is broken. It is about reconnecting with the person you have always been beneath fear, pain, perfectionism, and past experiences. She creates a warm, compassionate, and collaborative space where clients feel deeply understood while being challenged to grow into the life they want to create.

Nick Watkins, Clinical Director and Supervisor, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Air Force veteran, and trauma specialist who believes no one should have to face life’s challenges alone. After serving for 10 years in the Air Force, he discovered that the part of military life he valued most was mentoring others and helping them grow. That passion ultimately led him to become a therapist.

Nick earned his Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Golden Gate University and has worked with children, adolescents, adults, and individuals living with PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Today, he is especially passionate about supporting veterans and trauma survivors, combining evidence based treatments like Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Written Exposure Therapy (WET) with a collaborative, person centered approach tailored to each client.

Drawing from his own life experiences, from growing up in New Mexico to serving in Afghanistan, Nick strives to create a space where clients feel understood, supported, and empowered. His goal is for every client to leave knowing they have someone in their corner and that healing is always possible.

Nick also provides supervision for therapists seeking training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Written Exposure Therapy (WET).

Roland Gomez is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who believes meaningful change often begins with feeling truly heard. He knew from a young age that listening could make a difference, and that early sense of purpose eventually led him to a career in therapy.

Roland works with adolescents, adults, families, special needs communities, and clients from underserved backgrounds. His approach is empowering, collaborative, and focused on helping clients recognize their strengths, build confidence, and create practical goals for growth. Drawing from multicultural, person centered, trauma focused cognitive behavioral, and solution focused perspectives, he tailors therapy to each client’s culture, personality, and needs.

Roland hopes every client leaves feeling seen, validated, and more aware of what they are capable of. Outside the therapy room, he is a musician, songwriter, anime and manga fan, and lifelong believer that even one small step forward is still meaningful progress.

Valerie Mendoza is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who creates a warm, collaborative space where clients can feel understood, accepted, and supported without judgment. She works with adolescents, adults, couples, and families, with a passion for helping people heal within themselves, strengthen their relationships, and break generational patterns.

Valerie believes therapy is not one size fits all. Her approach is curious, flexible, and tailored to each client’s needs, meeting them where they are and helping them move forward at a pace that feels right. She hopes clients leave sessions feeling more connected to themselves, whether through greater clarity, a new perspective, or the confidence to continue doing difficult work.

As a first generation college graduate and native Spanish speaker, Valerie brings openness, cultural curiosity, and lived experience to her work. Outside the therapy room, she enjoys exploring cultures, trying new foods, watching sunsets, reading, and spending time in nature.