Dr. Sheila Vidal, licensed clinical psychologist specializing in trauma therapy for adults in California and Virginia — professional headshot used on the About page of Next Mission Recovery.

About Dr. Sheila Vidal — Online Trauma Psychologist in California & Virginia

ACT-led online therapy for adults with PTSD, C-PTSD, anxiety, and attachment challenges. Confidential, HIPAA-secure telehealth; self-pay across CA & VA.

At a Glance — Qualifications & Focus

  • Licensure: CA PSY36022 • VA 0810007130 • NPI 1134788763

  • Specialty: ACT-led care integrating CBT, CPT, optional PE, mindfulness

  • Populations: Veterans & military, security-clearance pros, immigrants & refugees, marginalized communities

  • Format: 100% online (HIPAA-secure) • Self-pay for maximum privacy • $300 / 50 minutes • Superbills available

Dr. Sheila Vidal, licensed trauma psychologist, writing notes during an online therapy consultation — professional portrait for the About page of Next Mission Recovery, serving California and Virginia.

My Story & Clinical Background

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Next Mission Recovery Psychology, PC. My work centers on helping adults recover from PTSD and complex trauma and rebuild connection, meaning, and daily routines. I’ve provided trauma‑focused care to veterans, first responders, reservists, law‑enforcement professionals, and caregivers. During my years with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, I treated a range of trauma‑related conditions, including military sexual trauma (MST), combat‑related PTSD, and moral injury.

I hold a PsyD and MA in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Washington, DC). My training included placements at DC Superior Court (psychological evaluations for at‑risk youth and Spanish‑speaking unaccompanied minors) and a postdoctoral fellowship at Kennedy Krieger Institute / Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, supporting families navigating behavioral trauma and developmental challenges.

Earlier, I completed an MA in Diplomacy and Military Studies at Hawai‘i Pacific University, where I was honored with the Best Graduate Paper award for research on interwar political revolution in Vietnam. These experiences shape my understanding of human behavior, conflict, and resilience.

Who I Work With

  • Veterans & Active‑Duty Military (including MST, combat trauma, reintegration)

  • Federal employees & security‑clearance professionals seeking confidential, insurance‑free therapy

  • Immigrants & refugees coping with displacement, raids, cultural trauma, and fear of deportation

  • Marginalized communities (LGBTQ+, ethnic minorities, and individuals impacted by systemic trauma)

My approach emphasizes safety, collaboration, and cultural humility, recognizing the resilience that coexists with pain and the complex ways trauma shapes identity and relationships.

Where I Provide Care (Statewide Telehealth)

I offer 100% online therapy for adults across California and Virginia.

Looking for details on services? Visit Services.

How I Practice (ACT‑Led, Trauma‑Informed, Culturally Responsive)

I lead with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—helping you build psychological flexibility so thoughts, memories, or body alarms don’t run the day. Depending on your goals and readiness, I integrate:

  • ACT:

    Values-guided actions, willingness skills, and present-moment awareness so life can expand even when difficult experiences show up.

  • CBT:

    Updating trauma-shaped beliefs; establishing sleep and routine anchors; experiments that gently test new, safer behaviors.

  • CPT:

    Systematically examining beliefs about safety, trust, power/control, esteem, and intimacy to reduce shame and restore meaning.

  • PE (When Appropriate):

    Choice-based, titrated exposure for narrowed lives—only when stabilization and consent are in place.

    Clinical Focus: PTSD • C‑PTSD • developmental trauma • anxiety and depression • attachment challenges • moral injury

Commitment to Privacy & Access

I’m a self‑pay, insurance‑free practice to protect confidentiality—an important consideration for clients in high‑security or public‑facing roles. Sessions are delivered via HIPAA‑compliant video with flexible scheduling options (weekly or bi‑weekly).

Dr. Sheila Vidal, trauma psychologist, standing in her office.

Education, Licensure & Professional Memberships

  • PsyD, MA (Clinical Psychology): The Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Washington, DC)

  • MA (Diplomacy & Military Studies): Hawai‘i Pacific University — Best Graduate Paper award

  • Licenses: California PSY36022; Virginia 0810007130

  • Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, NPI: 1134788763

  • Professional profiles: Psychology Today, TherapyDen, APA, ACBS

Ready to Begin?

If you’re seeking trauma‑informed therapy in California or Virginia, I invite you to schedule a complimentary consultation. We’ll explore your goals, pacing, and whether working together feels like the right next step.