(she/her)
I am a qualified Narcissistic Abuse Treatment Clinician (NATC). I help clients determine whether their loved one might have a pathological condition, to understand what that means, how to avoid such relationships in the future, reduce their internal conflict, and determine whether they want to end the relationship or manage it. Often, my clients have a relationship with a person who has no diagnosable condition, yet the relationship would be considered "toxic" in that it repeatedly causes my client emotional distress. I am excited to provide perspectives and strategies to assist. I grew up in Florida and graduated from FSU with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work. I began my career in a county jail mental health unit, where I became proficient in crisis intervention, assessments, and group therapy. Since then, I have worked at an air force base, offering therapy to individuals and families, as well as a substance/mental health rehab program for the Veteran's Administration. I have also volunteered with survivors of gun violence who are grieving and/or coping with trauma. I love being a therapist! It’s humbling to be a part of my clients’ lives as they heal, grow, and go after their goals.
As a social worker, I understand the person within the context of their environment and endeavor to address wellness in a holistic way. I view myself as a guide who journeys alongside my client and empowers them with new skills taught through cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, and trauma-informed approaches. I value creating a genuine and respectful therapeutic experience. As a client, you will leave sessions with a new framework for understanding your challenges, including context provided by psychoeducation. You will also gain an appreciation for your natural abilities and personality traits that are unique to you. You will learn new interpersonal/communication skills, organizational and decision-making skills, and coping skills, as well as learn to challenge negative self-talk and assumptions and create a comprehensive plan for self-care.
Do you have a loved one who...Is controlling/manipulative? Is clingy/demanding? Is sensitive to criticism? Talks about suicide/self-harm? Acts impulsively/becomes enraged? Criticizes/makes cruel jokes/puts you down? Love bombs you? Abuses substances? Do you feel like you are walking on eggshells? These relationships can feel chaotic, confusing, and at times, scary. They can drain your energy and challenge your view of yourself. It's common to develop anxiety or unhealthy ways of coping in response to these stressful relationships. I have extensive experience working with people like your loved one. I’d love to share my insights with you and empower you with knowledge and skills so that this challenge does not negatively affect other parts of your life.
Other specialties
I identify as
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I teach clients to value and validate themselves and to view other people's behavior as largely not personal. When clients are less impacted by another person's behavior, they are better able to release a need to control or change it and focus on their own well-being and boundaries.
1 rating with written reviews
February 2, 2026
I initially booked an appointment with Valerie because of her warm photo and personal background. She is very caring, understanding and really takes time to listen to what my needs and personal situation are. She made me immediately feel comfortable in communicating my concerns. At the end of our session, I felt better in just being able to vent without judgment and felt validated for what I'm going through.