About Me
I am a licensed clinical social worker and a licensed clinical addiction specialist in the state of North Carolina. I hope that by sharing more about my professional background and treatment strategies that you can make an informed decision on whether I am the right fit.
I began providing therapy in 2009 with adolescents, families and adults. Most recently, I worked for five years with young adults in higher education settings. I have worked with clients with a variety concerns including depression, anxiety, grief/loss, poor self-image/esteem, difficulties with life transitions, trauma, substance use, and stress management.
My style is warm, open and non-judgmental. I use an approach called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) most often and supplement with tools in mindfulness and self-compassion. CBT helps you to identify unhelpful thinking styles and their impact. Through the use of specific techniques, my clients learn how to challenge unhelpful thinking styles and negative beliefs about themselves resulting in more effective responses to difficult situations, reduction and/or elimination of symptoms of depression and anxiety , a more positive self-image, and reduction in stress responses. I am trained in CBT for insomnia as well and many of my clients have benefited from this structured intervention.
Mindfulness and self-compassion are two great tools that I often teach to clients. My clients have consistently given excellent feedback on how all three of these methods positively impact their lives.
I look forward to learning more about what you brought you to Better Help and how I can help.
Credential verification can be done at: https://www.ncswboard.org/ (LCSW: C009917) & https://www.ncsappb.org/ (LCAS-2937)
Specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
LGBT , Relationship issues , Family conflicts , Trauma and abuse , Grief , Intimacy-related issues , Sleeping disorders , Anger management , Career difficulties , Bipolar disorder , Coaching , Blended Family Issues , Read more...
Clinical approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Focused Therapy
Services Offered
Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video
Licensing
LCSW #C009917 (Expires: 2021-06-30)
Reviews
Very prompt with communication and offering advice and alternate methods.
Her suggestions are good . She is helpful in getting you to help yourself, without telling you what to do.
I’ve had tremendous progress in several months working with Valerie. What I’m learning I’ve been able to apply in all areas of my life. I feel less depressed and anxious. I feel much better able to manage my emotional health.
I am a new patient of Valerie and so far, I feel like she is good at listening to me and asking the right questions to get me to make my own progress in addressing my problems. I don't like being told what to do, but rather guided towards reaching my own solutions. She is effective at getting me to go down healthier thought paths.
Listens and offers good perspectives
Valerie has been very helpful, prompt, professional, and compassionate towards our short time of interaction. I have nothing but positive things to say about her!
Valerie is extremely helpful, qualified and professional. Our sessions benefit me greatly and I look forward to our time together. Thank-you teen counseling and Valerie!
She’s a really nice person and actually helps me to see certain things in a different light.
Easy to talk to and provides resources to help with mindfulness, very supportive and convenient
Valerie had been a great therapist for me so far, I struggle with anxiety and depression and her techniques/counseling have helped me a lot. She seems supportive and understanding, a lot more so than therapists I have had in the past. She gives me realistic solutions and coping strategies that I can incorporate into day to day life and makes herself available at times convenient for me.
She is very helpful and patient