Valarie Johnson, LICSW

Valarie Johnson is a licensed independent clinical social worker (LICSW) with 30 years of clinical experience supporting people through a wide range of life challenges. She has worked extensively with concerns such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship difficulties, parenting and eating issues, as well as coping with life changes and compassion fatigue. Her practice also addresses related areas including abandonment, adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, family of origin issues, end-of-life and hospice concerns, and mood and post-traumatic stress disorders.

Her counseling style is generally kind but direct; she offers steady support while also challenging clients to take steps that lead to change. Valarie blends client-centered care with evidence-informed methods - drawing on cognitive behavioral techniques, solution-focused strategies and psychodynamic perspectives - and adapts those approaches to fit each person’s goals and background. She can provide Christian-based counseling when that is helpful, and she respects whatever beliefs or preferences a client brings to the work.

Valarie aims to partner with clients to identify clear goals and to use practical, tailored strategies that foster growth and resilience. She welcomes those seeking help with both immediate concerns and longer-term personal development.

Approaches Valarie Uses for Online Care

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy and collaboration. In this approach Valarie focuses on understanding each person’s experience and supporting self-directed growth, which can be helpful for issues like low self-esteem, relationship concerns and life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and practical behaviors, then learn skills to shift those patterns. CBT is often used for anxiety, depression, stress management and coping with difficult emotions.

Psychodynamic Therapy explores how past experiences and relationship patterns influence present feelings and choices. This approach can be useful for deeper emotional concerns, grief, family of origin issues and recurring relationship difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Valarie will work collaboratively with each person to consider their goals, preferences and needs, and may combine methods to create a tailored plan that feels right for the client.

Online therapy with Valarie is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging to provide flexibility. These options make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, access care from home, and continue work during transitions or when in-person visits are difficult.