Hi, I’m Valerie Harris-Reamer. I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Do you turn to food, alcohol, or drugs to deal with feeling lonely or rejected, or to cope with added stress and anxiety? Have you lost the joyful feelings that you used to have in life? Do you feel fear-stricken, even in the “comfort” of your own home? Do you feel like there are so many things to manage and your forever-growing “to-do list” leaves you feeling completely overwhelmed? I work with women who have experienced tough stuff in their childhood and feel like they have lost their way. Sometimes we turn to food, alcohol, and drugs or, we withdraw from friends and family, just to cope. Does this sound like you? These coping skills affecting our lives as adults often stem from hurts that happened during childhood and were never healed. My goal is to help you stop engaging in patterns that started from what you learned as a way of survival. You will get encouragement and a toolbox of practical actions you need to find your way to living your best life. I believe that you are worthy of love and care. I believe that therapy should address the whole person – their mind, body, and spirit. I believe that loving and accepting ourselves for who we are, scars and all, is one of the most courageous things we can do. Start making yourself a priority and begin enjoying your life. Let's do this!
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
Sessions will provide you with a safe space to express your thoughts and feelings in which you’ll be able to gain clarity and understanding. It’s important to me to create safety within the session. There isn’t a “one size fits all” approach to therapy. Our sessions will fit your specific needs and concerns.
What treatment methods and tools do you utilize?
The behavioral and emotional impairments that affect our lives are often not repaired because the original trauma was never healed. These events get re-created and can cause further disruption in daily functioning. In some cases, we might use alcohol or drugs to deal with the intense feelings we don’t understand. In other cases, we might use deception to get our needs met or maybe not understand how to protect ourselves from potential harm. Therapy can help get your life back on track, often helping you move safely through the fear without re-triggering or re-traumatization. You can feel like your real self, maybe for the very first time.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
I have a natural ability to: *Help people identify what they are feeling *Uncover what’s under the surface *Explain mental health symptoms in an easy-to-understand way *Help clients heal their past and manage the present *Help people feel comfortable *Inspire hope for getting better *Accept people for who they are and where they’re at People who know me often say that I am a good listener who can help people feel heard and understood which helps people feel seen and start to heal.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
Trauma Depression Anxiety Women Adults Addiction Substance Use