Valencia Gooden, LCSW, LISW

Valencia Gooden is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) based in Ohio. She brings five years of direct therapy experience and more than a decade working in the human services field to her practice, supporting people through stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, and major life changes.

Her practice is grounded in respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and she adapts sessions and treatment plans to meet each person’s unique needs and goals. Valencia emphasizes a collaborative approach that helps people find clarity, build confidence, and strengthen resilience through practical tools and insight.

She honors the courage it takes to start therapy and partners with clients to move forward at a comfortable pace. Outside of her clinical work, she is married, has three adult children and five grandchildren, and enjoys painting, audiobooks, short getaways, learning new skills, and practicing holistic spiritual wellness. Her personal journey continues to inform her professional perspective and reinforces her belief that growth is possible from any starting point.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Valencia Gooden uses client-centered techniques that prioritize the person's own perspectives and goals, creating a respectful space where individuals are heard and guided to find their own solutions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is another key approach she integrates; it focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and developing practical strategies to change behaviors and emotional responses, which can be helpful for anxiety, depression, and stress. She also offers EMDR for those who are processing distressing memories or trauma, using structured bilateral stimulation alongside therapy to help reduce the intensity of traumatic reactions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Valencia works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She adjusts techniques over time as progress and circumstances evolve.

Online therapy with Valencia is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, providing flexible ways to connect. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, reduce travel time, and maintain continuity of care when life is changing, all while working with a licensed professional to support personal growth and coping.