Services

• Individual and Group Art Therapy

• Individual and Group Counseling
• Studio Art Therapy
• Walk-and-Talk/Outdoor Therapy
   

Clinical Specialties

• Medical Art Therapy

• Mindfulness

• Anxiety and Depression

• Life transition

• Cancer/chronic illness

• Caregiver burnout

• Grief and loss

• Self-esteem/self-worth
   

Education

Valerie received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. She completed her Master of Arts in Counseling with a specialization in Art Therapy at Wayne State University.

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Experience

Valerie currently works as a medical art therapist and counselor at Karmanos Cancer Institute. She helps patients and their families with stress management, coping skills, life transition, grief and loss, depression, and anxiety. Valerie also works in private practice as an individual counselor and art therapist, focusing on life transition, stress, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem. She has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, in individual and group settings.

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Philosophy

Valerie’s approach to therapy is collaborative: the client and the therapist work together to make decisions about the nature and course of therapy. As a person-centered therapist, Valerie aims to create a supportive and nonjudgmental environment in which clients can gain new self-awareness, define and achieve personal goals, and improve their quality of life. Artmaking allows people to think creatively, consider new perspectives, and engage the senses. In a therapeutic setting, art can facilitate creative problem-solving, self-reflection and identity exploration, and emotional awareness and regulation. Art is a reflection of life. By allowing clients to express themselves freely, experiment, and make choices in their artwork, they can be empowered to create positive change outside the therapy session.

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Fun Fact

In her spare time, Valerie enjoys watercolor painting. Her two cats enjoy helping her, by walking all over the painting.