On-Line and In-Person (with COVID Vaccine)

If you are experiencing anxiety, divorce, co-dependency, relational issues, PTSD, trauma, grief or loss, depression, addiction, shame, career transitions, or simply long for self-care and empowerment, you have choices. Straight-forward, compassionate, and supportive, I can help you become resilient enough to succeed, tender enough to be vulnerable, and confident enough to trust your own wisdom. Together we will take a non-judgmental and honest look at “how and why” you do what you do in order to inspire positive change.

I specialize in Contemplative Psychological Methods including:

• Mindfulness-based Therapy
• EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
• Hakomi Experiential Somatic Therapy
• Brainspotting
• PACT- Psychobiological Approach to Couple’s Therapy
• Grief and Bereavement (Group Leader for Hospice)
• Internal Family Systems

“When I think of Valerie, the first thing I think about is courage – courage to meet whatever uncertainty life throws at you and courage to meet it with an open heart… Courage to honestly and openly be exactly who you are, and accept all parts without the shame.”

When we experience pain, confusion, or don’t feel safe, we all have the potential to go “black market” with our thoughts and feelings. When emotions get buried beneath our conscious mind, we get stuck in anxiety, traumatic responses, anger, grief, denial, unhealthy desires…the list goes on. We can work together to release painful memories, core wounds, and difficult habits so you can cultivate self-acceptance and confidence. We have the capacity to rewire our brains in order to create healthy neuro-networks and lead more fulfilling lives. Using simple experiments and dialogue, I will help you turn your attention inward in order to witness your experience. Mindfulness provides space for you to see yourself honestly with compassion – both essential ingredients for healing. When we are at home with ourselves, a sense of contentment naturally arises. This eventually extends to others and the world begins to look a little brighter.

Heterosexual and LGBTQ welcome.

Fees:

Individual: $135/hour • Sliding scale options available
Insurance through SonderMind.com  •   Aetna, United, Anthem, Cigna, Kaiser

Couples: $150/hour, Private Pay Only

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Master’s of Education in Counseling (M.Ed) from CSU, CACREP Certified (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs)