Thedy Veliz, MBA, MA is a Relational & Neuro-Developmental Therapeutic-Coach℠, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), a Certified Clinical Neuropsychotherapy Practitioner, and a Certified (Brain-Based) Resilience Coach in private practice in Los Gatos, California, USA. Veliz is founder of People Systems, a leadership & human development consulting firm through which he works with youth, adults, families, and couples who are experiencing challenges caused by relational and emotional dynamics including depression, stress and anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, marital conflict, spiritual challenges, behavioral problems (e.g., irritability, defiance, oppositionality), low academic performance, lack of motivation, loss of meaning, peer pressure, boredom, self-harm behaviors, bullying (for the bully and for the bullied) anger management, hyperactivity, impulsivity, grief & loss, and challenges related to family transitions (e.g., recent moves, separation, divorce, blended and step-families, new born children).

Disregulation of the stress response system leads to symptoms

Regardless of the clinical symptoms, Veliz conceptualizes the client’s challenges as being driven by a disregulated stress response system which requires a soothing ‘bottoms-up’ approach facilitated by a safe dyadic relationship in order for the client to have the resources for ‘top-down’ self-regulation. Veliz provides support to his clients by following his overarching commitment to being a Personal Fulfillment, Creativity & Social Innovation Catalyst.

Neuroscience findings are delivered through Relational Neuro-Narratives™

Veliz uses Relational Neuro-Narratives™ as the active ingredient of his Parent Relational & Developmental Neuropsychotherapy Protocol™ by providing parents with developmental and affective neuroscience psychoeducation, assistance in self-regulating their own limbic system, and ongoing parenting coaching support to develop a safe relationship with their children as a way to co-regulate their children’s limbic system so that eventually the child can utilize their prefrontal cortex to move from being trapped in a reactive avoidant state towards a state of self-regulation, openness, engagement, creativity, and intrinsic motivation.

Passionate about Youth Development

Veliz became interested in the developmental challenges encountered by youth while living in Texas in the late 90s during the drug overdose epidemic experienced by the teenage population in the affluent northern suburbs of Dallas. As a result of this experience, Veliz started to develop youth leadership development programs through Youth Success Systems, Inc., and later on continued to practice his vocation by delivering motivational talks to high school students in California through Monster Worldwide Inc.’s Making High School Count Programs.

Multidisciplinary Background

Veliz combines 15 years of corporate engineering design and finance management experience with his experience in motivational speaking, leadership development, non-profit board governance, and his most recent education and training in life and resilience coaching, brain-based conversation skills, counseling psychology, motivation, and human development to provide children, adolescents, adults, couples and their families with a neuropsychotherapeutic path towards wellness and resilience by focusing on the power of dyadic relationships as the medium for healing.

Practitioner-Scholar

As a practitioner-scholar, Veliz is interested in areas of research that focus on addressing the underlying challenges (i.e., the roots of the tree), instead of focusing on the challenges themselves (e.g., the branches of the tree). Thus, his People Systems Relational and Neuro-Developmental Approach to Human Dynamics integrates the latest research and clinical findings from attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, affective and developmental neuroscience, behavioral epigenetics, complex and developmental trauma, affect regulation theory, dyadic developmental psychotherapy and self-determination theory with leadership and human development coaching.

Fathers & Sons Initiative

Veliz has developed a special interest in helping to strengthen the relationship between fathers and their sons as a way to strengthen the relationships between all members of the family while exploring issues related to personal leadership, power dynamics and masculinity through his Fathers and Sons Initiative.

Diverse Training & Education

Veliz earned a masters in counseling psychology (MA) from Santa Clara University, a masters in business administration (MBA) from the University of Notre Dame, and a bachelors in mechanical engineering (BSME) from Iowa State University.

Brain-Based Resilience Coaching

Recognizing that the support that clients seek from therapists goes beyond symptom relief, Veliz recently completed a Brain-Based Conversation Skills course through the NeuroLeadership Institute, and became a Certified (Brain-Based) Resilience Coach. Veliz also completed the Co-Active Life Coaching Training from the Coaches Training Institute. With this training, Veliz utilizes Brain-Based Resilience Coaching methodologies in order to support the development of client’s personal leadership capabilities to enhance their wellness and momentum towards their future pursuits.