Valerie McIntyre

LPC, 18 years of experience
Authentic
Empowering
Humorous

Hello. I'm Valerie. If you are looking for guidance with anxiety, fears, depression, or anger management, it takes courage to ask for help. Admitting you can’t do everything on your own, is the first step toward achieving wellness in a fast paced, demanding world and is a sign of strength. I believe that every person, no matter their circumstances or struggles, has a valiant mind and has the strength to overcome the heaviness of life. The way in which we cope in the world is greatly influenced by how we see the world. Asking for help, and obtaining a fresh perspective is often the first and most profound step toward developing the mental muscle needed to become stronger. The more support you gain, the better equipped you will be to take on bigger challenges and achieve more successes. Therefore, I believe that each of my clients are the experts of their own life and that my job is to meet each client wherever they currently are on their journey and to walk alongside them in order to help facilitate growth and change. As an experienced licensed professional counselor, it is my honor to assist you in exploring your core issues and moving toward a healthy, fulfilling life.

Get to know me

In our first session together, here's what you can expect

Our first session will be more like a two way interview. I’ll get to know you, and you’ll get to know me. I will ask you questions to help me better understand your primary issues and concerns, as well as your history in terms of other events in your life, family, childhood, and career. However, you are welcome to ask questions too. In order for therapy to be successful, it is imperative we establish a client/therapist relationship that is supportive and honest. In fact, it is the nature – and the quality – of our relationship that will determine the success of your overall therapy goals. The success of the ‘meeting of the minds’ with your psychotherapist is the most accurate predictor of a positive, healthy outcome to the hard work you put in towards your happiness. As such, each client/therapist relationship will be unique but certain values and themes are true for all sessions, and you can expect the following: You can expect to be treated with compassion, empathy, respect, and understanding. You can expect to be presented with someone who is available to listen to you and listen to your interpretation of what you are currently experiencing. You can expect to receive knowledgeable and scientifically backed techniques and information to assist you in overcoming your mental health related struggles. You can expect to arrive in a safe, supportive, and confidential space. You can expect to receive real strategies and techniques you can use to enact positive changes on your life.

The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions

I specialize in working with diverse individuals, especially individuals and families who are navigating through challenges and who are experiencing anxiety and stress, relationship challenges, low self-esteem, obsessive negative thoughts, and depression. I also specialize in working with individuals and their families who have neurological differences, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism. Most clients with attention deficit disorders know that their struggles go beyond simple problems with concentration. I provide a warm and understanding environment to help individuals learn skills to improve their everyday lives. I believe therapy needs to be conversation-tailored to meet your specific needs.

The clients I'm best positioned to serve

I specialize in working with diverse individuals, especially individuals and families who are navigating through challenges and who are experiencing anxiety and stress, relationship challenges, low self-esteem, obsessive negative thoughts, and depression. I also specialize in working with individuals and their families who have neurological differences, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism. Most clients with attention deficit disorders know that their struggles go beyond simple problems with concentration. At Valiant Minds we provide a warm and understanding environment to help individuals learn skills to improve their everyday lives. I believe therapy needs to be conversation-tailored to meet your specific needs. Collaboration is key and my goal is to help my clients learn skills and strategies to increase coping and find peace. Therefore, I aim to truly get to know and understand my clients in meaningful ways so that I can uniquely tailor therapy sessions to meet each client's needs and goals.

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Licensed in
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Location
Offers in-person in 651 Holiday Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15220, Building 5 Suite 400Virtual
My treatment methods

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Valiant Minds Counseling uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in therapy sessions by helping clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs. Therapists work collaboratively with clients to: Assessment: Understand the client's specific issues and concerns. Identify Negative Thoughts: Recognize automatic negative thoughts that contribute to distress. Challenge Distorted Thinking: Encourage clients to question and reframe irrational or unhelpful thoughts. Behavioral Strategies: Develop strategies to modify behaviors that contribute to the client's problems. Homework Assignments: Assign exercises and homework to practice new coping skills between sessions. Goal-Oriented: Set specific, achievable goals to track progress. Monitoring Progress: Continuously assess and adjust the treatment plan based on the client's progress. CBT is a structured and evidence-based approach that aims to empower clients to develop more adaptive thought patterns and behaviors, leading to improved mental health and well-being

Cognitive Processing (CPT)

Valiant Minds Counseling uses Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) in therapy sessions to help patients who have experienced traumatic events, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In CPT sessions: Assessment: We work together to understand the traumatic experiences that are causing distress. Education: Patients learn about the impact of trauma on thoughts and feelings, as well as the common reactions to trauma. Identify Beliefs: We identify and explore any negative beliefs or thoughts related to the trauma, such as self-blame or guilt. Challenging Beliefs: Patients are encouraged to challenge and reframe these negative beliefs through discussion and homework assignments. Writing Exercises: CPT often includes writing exercises, like writing a detailed account of the traumatic event, which can help process and reorganize thoughts and emotions. Skill Building: Patients learn coping skills to manage distressing symptoms, including relaxation techniques and emotion regulation strategies. Goal-Oriented: We set specific goals to track progress in overcoming the impact of trauma. CPT is designed to empower patients to better understand and heal from traumatic experiences, ultimately leading to improved mental well-being and a reduced impact of trauma on their daily lives. It is a structured and evidence-based approach specifically tailored for trauma recovery.

Solution Focused Brief Treatment

Valiant Minds Counseling utilizes Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) to help patients in therapy sessions. Here's how SFBT is applied: Focus on Solutions: Instead of dwelling on problems, we concentrate on finding practical solutions and positive outcomes. Clarification of Goals: We work together to clarify your goals and what you want to achieve in therapy. Strengths and Resources: We explore your strengths and existing resources that can help you address challenges. Scaling Questions: We may use scaling questions to measure your progress and identify steps to move closer to your goals. Future-Oriented: SFBT is future-oriented, emphasizing how you can create a better future rather than dwelling on past issues. Feedback Loop: Feedback from patients is highly valued, and sessions are adjusted based on your feedback and progress. Brief and Solution-Focused: SFBT is typically a short-term therapy, focusing on practical solutions and often requiring fewer sessions. SFBT empowers patients to actively engage in finding solutions and encourages a positive, forward-looking perspective in therapy. It's a collaborative approach that aims to help you achieve your desired outcomes efficiently and effectively.

Child Parent Psychotherapy

Valiant Minds Counseling uses Parent-Child Psychotherapy (PCP) to support the healthy development of the parent-child relationship and address any emotional or behavioral issues in children. Here's how PCP is applied: Assessment: The therapy process begins with a comprehensive assessment of the parent-child dyad, looking at both the child's and the parent's emotional and behavioral concerns. Child-Centered Approach: PCP places a strong emphasis on the child's perspective and experiences, creating a safe and supportive environment for the child to express their feelings. Parent Involvement: Parents play an active role in therapy, learning effective parenting strategies and techniques to address their child's needs. Attachment and Bonding: PCP focuses on strengthening the attachment and bonding between the parent and child, as a secure attachment is crucial for a child's emotional well-being. Therapeutic Play: Play therapy techniques may be used to help the child communicate and process their emotions in a developmentally appropriate way. Emotion Regulation: Children learn to identify and regulate their emotions, while parents receive guidance on helping their child manage difficult feelings. Communication Skills: PCP helps improve communication within the family, enhancing understanding and empathy between parents and children. Goal-Oriented: Therapy goals are established to track progress and measure improvements in the parent-child relationship and the child's emotional well-being. Parent-Child Psychotherapy at Valiant Minds Counseling is designed to create a supportive and nurturing environment where both parents and children can work together to overcome challenges, strengthen their bond, and promote healthy emotional development in children.

Couples Counseling

Valiant Minds Counseling offers Couples Counseling as a valuable service to help couples improve their relationships and resolve conflicts. Here's how Couples Counseling is typically used at Valiant Minds: Assessment: The process begins with an assessment where the therapist gathers information about the couple's history, relationship dynamics, and the issues they are facing. Communication Improvement: Couples often struggle with communication. Therapy sessions focus on enhancing communication skills, including active listening and effective expression of thoughts and feelings. Conflict Resolution: Couples Counseling helps couples identify sources of conflict and develop healthy ways to resolve disagreements, fostering a more peaceful and harmonious relationship. Understanding Each Other: Therapists facilitate conversations that promote understanding and empathy between partners, allowing them to see each other's perspectives more clearly. Individual Growth: Sometimes, individual issues can affect the relationship. Couples Counseling can help individuals address personal challenges that impact their partnership. Rebuilding Trust: In cases of trust issues or breaches, therapists work with couples to rebuild trust through open and honest communication and establishing new boundaries. Intimacy and Connection: Sessions may address issues related to intimacy, helping couples reconnect emotionally and physically. Goal Setting: Therapists assist couples in setting specific goals for their relationship, tracking progress, and providing tools and strategies to achieve those goals. Feedback and Homework: Couples may receive assignments or exercises to practice between sessions, promoting ongoing growth and development. Couples Counseling at Valiant Minds aims to create a supportive and non-judgmental environment where couples can work together to strengthen their bond, improve their communication, and find healthier ways to navigate the challenges in their relationship. It is a collaborative process that empowers couples to build a more fulfilling and satisfying partnership.

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