Valerie Keller Gates, LPC

Valerie Keller Gates is a Licensed Professional Counselor practicing in Oklahoma who combines formal training with a practical, compassionate approach to care. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Gerontology from Southern Nazarene University and a Master of Human Relations with an emphasis in Licensed Professional Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. As an LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor, she brings seven years of clinical experience working with adults, families, and groups.

Her work has included supporting people across a wide range of concerns, from mild to severe mental illness to challenges such as depression, grief and loss, trauma and abuse, addictions with dual diagnosis, behavioral problems, bipolar disorder, parenting difficulties, anxiety, stress, relationship and intimacy issues, and struggles with self-esteem and life transitions. She also addresses focused areas like blended family dynamics, codependency, communication problems, divorce and separation, infidelity, guilt and shame, and multicultural considerations.

Valerie adapts her style to meet each person where they are, often drawing on client-centered principles alongside cognitive-behavioral techniques and other modalities to shape individualized treatment plans. She emphasizes transparency, honesty, and genuine care in sessions to foster openness as challenges are explored and processed. Her practice centers on respectful, tailored support designed around each individual or family's needs and goals.

Her profile closes with the reminder: "Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come."

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Valerie Keller Gates commonly integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to support clients in online sessions. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the therapist follows the client’s lead, which helps people working through relationship concerns, life transitions, and self-esteem issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with stress and mood challenges.

For clients affected by trauma, EMDR may also be used as an approach to process distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity. EMDR involves guided bilateral stimulation while recalling targeted experiences and can be a fit for trauma-related symptoms when the therapist and client agree it is appropriate.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Valerie works with each person to determine which methods match their goals, preferences, and needs, adjusting the plan as progress unfolds. Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call or phone, and shorter check-ins are possible via live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into daily life while maintaining continuity of care with licensed professionals and therapists.