Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
Since 2003, Valerie has focused her career on mental healthcare, providing specialized support to children, teens, and adults in both community and school settings. Valerie believes therapy is a safe and reflective space where you can share your innermost thoughts, desires, and personal setbacks in order to foster growth. She believes prioritizing your mental health is a key component to living a more happy and peaceful life. Valerie takes a humanistic and existential approach to therapy where she’s invested in learning about her clients’ beliefs, values, attitudes, and current life-stage in order to identify their purpose and desired direction in life. With this holistic approach, she meets each client where they are and hopes to shepherd them in their therapeutic journey.
Client Focus
- Children, Teens, Adults, Women & Motherhood, & Families
Advanced Specialization
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Divorce
- Adolescent Conflict
- Peer Relations
- Academic / Career Stressors
Additional Special Interest
Work-Life Balance, Stress, Grief and Loss, Trauma, Communication, Divorce, Parent-Child Relationship, Substance Abuse, Parenting Struggles, Life Transitions, Work or Professional Issues, Anger, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence, Adoption, Behavioral Issues, Academic Stress, Social Skills, Autism, Spectrum Concerns.
Therapeutic Approach
- Humanistic Psychology
- Existential Psychology
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Positive Psychology
- Mindfulness
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic Psychology
Clinical Experience
- Marriage and Family Therapist Associate at TherapyWorks
- Lead Student Services Advisor at HotChalk Inc.
- Behavior Therapist at Center for Learning and Autism Support Services
- School Counselor at St. Thomas More Elementary School
Professional Credentials & Education
- Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #146792
- Supervised by Kim Threeths, LMFT #48257
- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy, University of San Francisco
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, concentration in Child and Adolescent Development, San Jose State University
Associations & Memberships
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
On a Personal Note
Valerie enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. You will find her traveling and having fun with her husband and two kids, either on the soccer sidelines or enjoying nature. Valerie enjoys hiking in Henry Cowell with her Bernedoodle, volunteering at her kids’ school, and cuddling up on the couch to watch a reality show. She loves to laugh, dance, & enjoy life amongst the beautiful redwoods and ocean.