About

About Valerie

With over 25 years of experience, I am still honored to hear my clients’ stories, share in their struggles, and celebrate their successes!

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Oklahoma #4672
Master’s Degree in Social Work, University of Denver, 1998

My mental health career began during college when I worked weekends at a local domestic violence shelter. My favorite part of this job was listening to the women share their stories. Even though their experiences were difficult to hear, I was drawn to the beauty of their pain and their courage. Twenty-five years later, I still love listening to people talk about their lives.

I have served hundreds of clients who come to me from all walks of life. I utilize an eclectic mix of treatment techniques and modalities which is a fancy way of saying I am knowledgeable in a wide-range of therapy practices. However, the most important part of therapy is the relationship between the client and the therapist. I provide a safe, comfortable place where people can begin a journey of growth, change, and hope. It’s an honor to be a part of the process.

I live in Jenks, Oklahoma with my young adult sons and three dogs. I enjoy reading, walking my dogs, and discovering new adventures. I love doing anything outdoors, including running, hiking, kayaking, and camping. I hope to someday visit all national parks.

Frequently Asked Questions

I support individuals navigating a wide range of emotional, mental, and life challenges. This includes anxiety, depression, stress, trauma and PTSD, anger, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). I also work with those experiencing grief and loss, relationship issues, life transitions, and career-related stress or burnout.

My care extends to more specific and personal experiences, including women’s issues such as pregnancy, infertility, and perimenopause/menopause, as well as men’s issues. I provide support for individuals dealing with suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors, feelings of uncertainty, people-pleasing patterns, and imposter syndrome.

No matter where you are in your journey, I’m here to help you better understand what you’re going through and support you in finding a path forward.

My therapy approach is highly individualized based on the needs of each client. However, I utilize a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Narrative Therapy.

I accept most major insurance plans including Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, UMR, Aetna, Cigna, and Healthchoice.

Therapy is a financial commitment. It is also an investment in yourself and your family. A successful therapy journey can result in big changes in how you see yourself and how you approach your relationships, your work, and even your finances. Many people invest time and money into their education, vacations, homes, and hobbies. Therapy is an investment in self-care that can have a profound impact on your overall well-being and success.

You need a licensed therapist who is qualified and makes you feel comfortable. After all, you’ll be discussing deeply personal issues with your therapist, so their personality and style must fit you and your needs. If you’re looking for a serious therapist to quote details about research and statistics, I may not be the person for you. I use research to guide my practice, but my sessions also include laughing, crying, and occasional swear words. If you want to know more, call me or schedule an appointment.

Generally, therapy works best when people begin with weekly sessions, and then reduce the frequency once progress has begun. This allows us to gain some momentum, and without that momentum, progress can often take longer than expected. However, during our initial session, we will map out goals and discuss the frequency of the sessions. In the end, it is your journey so I will work with you.

I have a Master’s Degree in Social Work and am a licensed clinical social worker. The National Association of Social Workers defines clinical social work as a specialty practice area of social work which focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness, emotional, and other behavioral disturbances. Individual, group and family therapy are common treatment modalities.

Clients will be charged $75 for no-shows or cancellations made with less than 24 hours notice.

Like all therapists, I am required to follow the same HIPAA privacy laws as other medical professionals. In addition to this, I must also abide by the stricter privacy guidelines outlined by the social work licensing board. This means all communication with me is considered confidential, except for the following situations: I suspect that child abuse has occurred, my client has expressed a plan to harm themselves or someone else, or I receive a court order to release my records. I do occasionally consult with other professionals. This is a common practice among mental health professionals, and it is always done in a manner that respects confidentiality.

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