(she/her)
Often rebooked
I have been a counselor for over 30 years working with a variety of people. Whenever I have done other things I have always found myself missing being a therapist and return as soon as I can! This is when I feel most at home. Like most people my age I have experienced death, trauma, divorce, medical problems as well as joy, connection, love, friendship and productivity aka "the Full Catastrophe of Living". I have been on both sides of the couch, and am truly honored when clients pick me to work with them. I work with a variety of disabilities, mental health issues and am LGBTQ+ affirming. I have worked with people from many different religious, cultural and minority backgrounds and love learning new things. I am happily married to my second husband, have two grandchildren and on my own time can be found working behind the scenes or on stage at a local theatre. Naturally, popcorn is my favorite food!
Your first session is designed to get as much information as possible to begin developing a treatment plan. It is also my job to get you to feel as comfortable and safe as I can, so that you will want to return.
I have been told that I have a great deal of positive energy and that I pass this on in sessions. I love to laugh and have a great sense of humor, while at the same time being very serious about our work. I do not judge and view everyone as being simply human, trying to navigate this thing called "Life".
I began using ACT when working with persons with brain damage who were not going to be able to change what happened to them. I found this to be quite useful and empowering.
If only this had existed when I was a young woman trying to understand the patterns in the toxic relationships I was in. When we recognize the pattern and why it is exists, we are halfway there in the journey.
We must tread carefully, and with intention and sensitivity, when healing ourselves from the past. Trauma does not always have to be big to others for it to be big for YOU.
I was thrilled to learn about Polyvagal Therapy when I was working with clients for whom Cognitive Behavioral Therapy was not "working". When they learned to calm their Sympathetic Nervous System they were then able to use CBT effectively.
When supervising my LPC-Associates, I first must make sure that they understand that Supportive Therapy is an actual therapy, and has been highly under-rated. Sometimes this is all clients need and at other times clients may not be able to progress without starting here first.
15 ratings with written reviews
July 17, 2026
Valerie helped guide me toward progress and decisions that increased my mental state quickly.
July 8, 2026
Mrs. Armstrong is a very understanding of everthing and makes me feel comfortable. I enjoy our sessions. Im glad I meet her. Thank you
June 17, 2026
We are close in age and both enjoy theatre. She was very complimentary and full of energy. I felt confident in working through my issues.