Valarie McDowell Gunn
My career has been focused on working with clients from multiple social, cultural and economic backgrounds. I use my compassion, empathy, passion for helping others, strong interpersonal, problem-solving skills, as well as my good listening and organizational skills to help clients reach goals and have better outcomes.
I won’t simply validate your feelings — I will also help you explore the origins, evidence for and against, and the impact of these beliefs.
Therapeutic approaches used: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing and Body-Mind Psychotherapy.
First session
Clients should leave the first session feeling safe, understood, hopeful, and motivated to continue the work with me. During the initial session an assessment is completed. This is the time in which information is gathered about the client’s background, concerns, and goals, to guide an effective treatment plan.
Strengths
Growth in therapy often happens when you’re gently challenged to question and change the beliefs that keep you stuck — a process that blends empathy, evidence, and action. I won’t simply validate your feelings — I will also help you explore the origins, evidence for and against, and the impact of these beliefs. I promise that each session will have a balance of empathy and challenge that will create the space for real change.
Ideal clients
I have experience working with clients with serious and persistent mental illness, as well as clients with situational changes. My focus is also on working with clients with some of the following issues/concerns: dual diagnosis, adjustment problems, PTSD, depression, anxiety, family cohesion problems, as well as relationship problems. I use family‑based interventions (e.g., Family Therapy, Solution‑Focused Brief Therapy) to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and strengthen support networks. When working with clients with depression and anxiety, I combine evidence‑based psychotherapies (CBT, ACT) with social support strategies and recovery‑oriented case management.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a structured, skills-based therapy. Therapists act as collaborative coaches who help clients understand thought–emotion–behavior patterns and practice new responses. CBT activities are practical exercises designed to build awareness, challenge thoughts, and change behavior.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness interventions help therapists enhance self-awareness, reduce stress, prevent burnout, and improve client outcomes through structured practices and daily mindfulness skills. Mindfulness interventions support treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, substance use, and other mental health conditions by improving attention, emotional regulation, and self-compassion.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a structured, evidence-based approach used by therapists to help clients manage intense emotions, reduce self-harm, and improve quality of life. It blends acceptance (validating current experiences) with change (working toward new behaviors and goals).
Narrative
In Narrative Therapy the client treated as the expert of their own life. The therapist is listening attentively and showing curiosity rather than imposing judgments or interpretations. They do not focus on the cause of problems but instead explore the client’s perception of events, helping them understand and reshape the stories that influence their identity and behavior.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Licensed in
- GeorgiaLicense CSW008139
- North CarolinaLicense C018837