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- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
About Valerie
LCSW Valerie Smith has 30 years of clinical social work experience in Virginia. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, depression, addictions, and a wide range of life changes and behavioral concerns. She uses a conversational, practical style and draws on multiple therapeutic approaches listed in her profile.
Valerie meets people where they are and focuses on real problems that show up day to day. She talks through relationship and work issues, self-image and parenting concerns, sleep and eating problems, and coping after loss or trauma. Sessions tend to be practical and discussion-based rather than highly formal.
Her background includes work in public settings, general hospitals, psychiatric hospitals and private practice. That variety has given her experience with many kinds of work and life situations, from corporate settings to courts and nonprofit agencies. She reports using those experiences to validate clients and offer concrete suggestions.
In sessions she aims to identify unhelpful childhood beliefs and offer alternatives when useful. She combines client-centered conversation with techniques from cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic ideas, plus solution-focused and trauma-focused approaches as needed. The result is a mix of listening, problem-solving, and manageable exercises.
Valerie also lists special focus areas such as aging and geriatric issues, chronic pain and illness, autism spectrum concerns, first responder issues, hospice and end-of-life counseling, and challenges related to fertility, codependency, and caregiver strain. She practices in Virginia and meets people dealing with a broad range of everyday and complex stressors.
To start she asks a few practical questions and helps people set short-term goals. The tone in sessions is conversational, direct, and aimed at finding steps that can fit into daily life.
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How therapeutic approaches translate to online work
Valerie draws on client-centered therapy, which focuses on listening closely and helping clients name their concerns. This approach supports people who need a conversational setting to sort through relationships, self-esteem, or parenting questions.She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. CBT is useful for anxiety, depression, sleep or eating problems, and developing practical coping skills.
Finding the best approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose or combine methods based on goals, symptoms, and preferences. That decision happens gradually and can be adjusted as needs change.
Confirm current session options before booking since formats are not listed in the biography. Online work can help fit therapy into a busy life by reducing travel, allowing shorter check-ins when needed, and making it easier to schedule sessions around work or school. Talk with the therapist about what length and rhythm of sessions would fit daily routines.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Virginia
Languages
English
Sheet 4
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, depression, addictions, coping with life changes, and many related concerns listed in her profile.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her approach is conversational and practical. She combines client-centered discussion with cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, solution-focused, and trauma-focused ideas.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 30 years of experience as a clinical social worker across public, hospital, psychiatric, and private settings.
What are her credentials and practice location?
She is a LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) licensed in Virginia and practices there.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.