Portrait of Fernanda Formel, LMFT | Therapy for Women Philadelphia

Fernanda Valentin, LMFT

She/Her
Clinical Coordinator of Old City Office
Serving clients in Pennsylvania
Portrait of Fernanda Formel, LMFT | Therapy for Women Philadelphia
I Work With: Adults, Teens, Couples, Families
My Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development from University of Connecticut
Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Sex Therapist
Trainings & Certifications
Gottman Level 1 & 2
Gottman Treating Affairs and Trauma
Intensive Gottman Therapy Training for Couples

“I create a space where clients feel empowered, validated, and confident in their voice. I value building genuine, honest, and transparent connections.”

As a therapist, I strive to provide a comforting and humanistic support to my clients. I take a collaborative and client-centered approach. In other words, I try my hardest not to prescribe a predetermined agenda. I approach each session with an adaptable mindset so that I can follow where a client’s mind leads and be the emotional mirror that may be needed. I also know that the internal world is closely tied to relationships, and a difficult situation is rarely isolated to one person.

I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, relationship issues, struggling with dating or navigating women’s health issues such as PCOS.  I am particularly passionate about working with individuals trying to conceive, struggling to do so, who are pregnant or dealing with the big identity shifts that happen after becoming a parent. As a sex therapist, my office is a safe place to talk about intimacy issues (such as painful sex or libido differences),  relationship types and options (such as Kink, polyamory or ethical non monogamy) or learn what you want in bed and how you can communicate that.

I am also passionate about working with couples and have extensive training in the Gottman Method. I take an active approach in the sessions by helping couples slow down communication and pay closer attention to each others; emotions, attachments and needs. I often work with couples looking to reconnect after infidelity, a breach of trust, a traumatic incident or a big life transition. 

Regardless, I create a space where clients feel empowered, validated, and confident in their voice. I value building genuine, honest, and transparent connections. Their needs, feelings, and self-reflection are the first priority in my therapeutic approach. Compassion and empathy are ever present in my work. I look forward to meeting you!

 

Fun Facts

Favorite Animal

Hippos! They're strong, adorable, and have all the sass I hope to embody one day.

Coffee or Tea?

I LOVE matcha. Lattes, cakes, cookies, anything... give me all things Matcha.

Favorite Trip

Iceland with two of my closest friends. We ate delicious food, drank the best water (if you've been to Iceland, you know what I'm talking about), hiked everywhere, and saw beautiful landscapes. I quickly searched how to permanently move there - it's not easy.

Favorite Way To Move My Body

Dancing - by myself, in a group, with a partner, at a club, in the kitchen. Anywhere and everywhere, you're likely to see me dancing.

What Influenced Me To Become A Therapist

I am the youngest of six which probably explains it 😆

Fernanda Formel, LMFT - Therapy for Women Center

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Kind Words From Real Patients

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“No practice has helped me the way Therapy for Women has.”

“I have been to many therapists for trauma work but no practice has helped me the way Therapy for Women has. This practice is based on mutual trust. Your therapist will happily share bits of their own life experiences. This always makes me feel less alone in what I am experiencing and make sessions feel so comfortable. I really think this practice is something special and I am SO happy I found it when I did.”

“Therapy for Women empowers clients to see change in themselves.

“Therapy for Women offers a fresh and modern approach to therapy which involves empowering clients to see change in themselves. They give you tools to supplement what’s talked about in session so you can go home and practice life skills. This step has been so crucial for my long-term recovery and emotional stability. The therapists genuinely care for each client. No matter why you go to Therapy for Women, these women WILL change your life. I really can’t thank them enough.”

“Therapy for Women has saved my life and then stuck with me to help me rebuild it from the bottom up.”

“In addition to individual therapy, I'm in a weekly group. I've created wonderful friendships here. It's also functioned as a safe space for me to experiment with things like stating my needs, getting vulnerable, setting boundaries, and receiving feedback from a non-therapist. Therapy for Women has saved my life and then stuck with me to help me rebuild it from the bottom up.”

“They just genuinely care about their patients.”

"I found this center when I needed it most in life. They matched me with a few therapists and first time was a charm. The center itself is very quick to act if you need anything. I see a psychiatrist within the practice as well and he too is amazing. They just genuinely care about their patients. You don’t feel like a time slot to them."

“…the very first therapist they hooked me up with was my perfect match.”

"Finding the right therapist is the hardest journey when you are already at your worst. I've tried multiple and none were working for me. But then I was told about Therapy for Women Center and the very first therapist they hooked me up with was my perfect match. We've been together coming on 2 years and she has really been amazing."

“The office has a soothing atmosphere, you immediately feel comfortable and at ease.”

"Happy to have found Therapy for Women Center. I can feel a change in my thinking and lifestyle and it is a huge difference from a year ago. So grateful! The office has a soothing atmosphere, you immediately feel comfortable and at ease."
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