L Xochitl Vallejos
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Mail code: 2780Campus: Otheraz
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Dr. Xochitl Vallejos is a social justice-oriented psychologist and activist whose work focuses on racial trauma, anti-oppressive therapy practices, and supporting individuals in non-traditional relationships.
Born and raised in Colorado, Dr. V witnessed firsthand the impacts of systemic racism and economic inequality in her community. These early experiences shaped her passion for social justice and her decision to pursue a career in psychology.
Dr. V earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from Saybrook University where her research examined the psychological effects of being a parent to a child with a potentially life threatening heart defect. Her dissertation, SHATTERED: A HEURISTIC SELF-SEARCH INQUIRY OF ONE MOTHER’S
JOURNEY TO WHOLENESS AFTER A CHILD’S DIAGNOSIS OF A
POTENTIALLY FATAL CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT, was awarded the Dissertation with Distinction.
As a practicing therapist, Dr. V specializes in working with people of the global majority, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those in polyamorous or other non-traditional relationship structures such as relationship anarchy. She employs an intersectional, anti-oppressive approach that acknowledges the complex interplay of systemic inequalities, personal identity, and mental health.
Dr. V is a vocal advocate for liberation psychology and challenging Eurocentric models of mental health. She has published numerous articles on culturally-responsive therapy techniques and regularly speaks at conferences.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. V is actively involved in community organizing and mutual aid efforts both locally and nationally. She lives with her two children, pets and enjoys yoga, outdoor exploration and practicing mindfulness meditation.
Ph.D., 2015, Saybrook University, Psychology
M.A., 2004, Regis Univeristy
B.A., 2001, Metro State University
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-Reviewed Articles:
Page 2 of 7+denotes graduate student co-author/*denotes undergraduate student co-author
1. 2. Hoffman, Granger, N. Jr., Vallejos, L., & Moats, M. (2016). Existential and humanistic perspectives
on Black Lives Matter and racial protests. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 56(6), 595-611.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167816652273
*Special Issue: Cultural and Social Justice Issues in Humanistic Psychology
Hoffman, L., Vallejos, L., Cleare-Hoffman, H. P., & Rubin, S. (2014). Emotion, relationship, and
meaning as a core existential practice: Evidence based foundations. Journal of Contemporary
Psychotherapy, 45, 11-20. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-014-9277-9
Books:
1. Hoffman, L., Tammala-Nara, U., & Vallejos, L. (Eds.). (2024). AP A Handbook of Humanistic and
Existential Psychology. American Psychological Association.
2. Hoffman, L., & Vallejos, L. (Eds.). (2021). Lullabies and Confessions: Poetic Explorations of
Parenting Across the Lifespan. University Publishers Press.
3. Vallejos, L. (2026). Shattered: How everything came together when it all fell apart. Black Rose
Publishing.
Book Chapters:
1. Vallejos, L., & Johnson, Z. (2019). Multicultural competencies and humanistic psychology. In
Hoffman, Cleare-Hoffman, Granger, & St. John (Eds.), Humanistic Approaches to Multiculturalism
and Diversity: Perspective on Existence and Difference (p. 63-75). Routledge Publishing.
2. Hoffman, L., & Vallejos, L. (2018). Existential shattering. In D. Leeming (Ed.), Encyclopedia of
Psychology and Religion. Spring Publications.
3. Vallejos, L. (2016). Shattered: How everything came together when it fell apart. In L. Hoffman, M.
Moats, & T. Greening (Eds.), Our last walk: Using poetry for grieving and remembering our pets.
Black Rose Publishing.
4. Vallejos, L. (2015). Humanistic Education. In R. Broome & R. Bargdill (Eds.), Humanistic
Contributions For Psychology 101. University Publishers Press.
5. Hoffman, L., Vallejos, L., Hoffman, H., & Rubin, S. (2014). Emotion, relationship, and meaning as a
core existential practice: Evidence based foundations. In Schulenberg, S. (Ed.), Clarifying and
Furthering Existential Psychotherapy: Theories, Methods, and Practices (p. 19-34). Springer
International Publishing.
Works in Progress/Under Review:
1. Vallejos, L. (in contract). The History of Saybrook University. University Publishers Press.
Creative/Integrative Writing:
1. Stay Awhile: Poetic Narratives About Multiculturalism and Diversity, Hoffman & Granger (2015),
selected contributor
2. Capturing Shadows: Poetic Narratives along the path of grief and loss, Hoffman & Granger (2015),
selected contributor
Courses
2026 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CAP 240 | Counseling Skills |
| CED 576 | Foundation Counseling(SkillsI) |
| CED 671 | Multicultural Counseling |
| CED 672 | Couple Family Counseling |
2025 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CAP 220 | Self in Multicultural Society |
| CAP 240 | Counseling Skills |
| CAP 220 | Self in Multicultural Society |
| CED 576 | Foundation Counseling(SkillsI) |
| CED 672 | Couple Family Counseling |
2025 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CED 645 | Professional Issues and Ethics |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CAP 340 | Multicultural Counseling |
| CAP 340 | Multicultural Counseling |
| CED 250 | Career Development |
| CED 576 | Foundation Counseling(SkillsI) |
| CED 671 | Multicultural Counseling |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CED 250 | Career Development |
| CED 671 | Multicultural Counseling |
| CED 576 | Foundations of Counseling |
AWARDS AND HONORS
Dissertation with Distinction, 2015, Saybrook University
Outstanding Alumni: Metropolitan State University, 2018
Early Career Award, Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association, 2020
The Carmi Hariri Early Career Award, Society for Humanistic Psychology, 2023
Professional Journals:
Journal Article Reviewer: Journal of Humanistic Psychology
Editorial Board:
Journal of Humanistic Psychology
Counseling and Family Therapy Scholarship Review
Series Editor, Humanistic Contributions to Psychology, University Publishers Press
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Psychological Association
Division 32: Society for Humanistic Psychology
Division 44: Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Issues
Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association
Board Chair
Awards Committee Chair
STUDENT MENTORSHIP
Dissertation/Doctoral Paper Committee Member: Zarr, I. (2021). Journey to Self: The Experience of
Becoming a Person After Surviving Intimate Partner Violence in Emerging Adulthood, Michigan School
of Professional Psychology.
Thesis Committee Member: Champagne, A. (2018). Exploring the Impact of Diversity and
Cross-Cultural Psychology Courses on the Diagnostic and Clinical Practice of Clinical Psychology
Graduate Students, William James University
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Professional Organization Service:
APA Division 32 Society for Humanistic Psychology
Board Member, Student Representative
Member-at-Large
Conference Planning Co-Chair
Conference Planning Chair
Member, Experiential Democracy Taskforce
Rocky Mountain Humanistic Counseling and Psychological Association
Charter Member
Awards Committee Chair
Board Chair
UNIVERSITY SERVICE
2018: Joanna Macy Center Committee, Naropa University
2020: Social and Multicultural Issues, Course lead, Naropa University
2020: Anti-racism task force, Naropa University
2019-2021: Diversity Committee, Naropa University
2020: Hiring search committee, Naropa University
2023: Faculty Senate Co-Chair, Division 5, Antioch University
2023: Diversity curriculum review, Antioch University
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Mental Health Transition Committee, Mayor-Elect Mike Johnston, Denver, CO
Community Education/Coalition Lead: Here4thekids
Board Member/Co-Chair, SistahBiz
Page 6 of 7Advocate, Donor Alliance, 2007-present
Educators of Color Summit, volunteer and roundtable host