Valerie Engel , LPC, LMHC

Valerie Engel is a licensed counselor who helps people who are dealing with depression, addiction, sleep problems, low self-esteem, relationship struggles, and big life changes. She listens closely and works with clients to find practical steps that fit each person’s life. Her approach emphasizes building skills and noticing strengths people already have.

Valerie starts by hearing what matters most to a client and then outlines simple strategies to try. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to gently challenge negative thinking patterns and to teach tools for managing difficult moods. Client-Centered Therapy guides how she creates a respectful, nonjudgmental space.

Her background includes many years supporting people with co-occurring addiction and mental health concerns. This experience informs how she addresses cravings, relapse risk, and the emotional fallout of substance use. She also helps people navigate trauma, grief, codependency, and recovery-related challenges.

Valerie brings 18 years of counseling experience and holds LPC and LMHC credentials. She has worked with issues such as caregiver stress, intimacy concerns, body image, aging, and compassion fatigue. That range helps her tailor conversations and homework to real-life demands.

Sessions focus on clear goals, skill building, and steady progress. Valerie helps people improve communication, set boundaries, and sleep better when that’s needed. She supports women’s issues as one area of focus and adapts work to each client’s needs.

Approaches that guide online work

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening without judgment and helping people access their own strengths and goals. It is useful when someone needs a steady, respectful listener and clear support for emotional concerns.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings, and actions interact. It teaches concrete skills to challenge unhelpful thinking and to build routines that improve mood, sleep, and coping with cravings or stress.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss what feels most helpful, try methods in session, and adjust plans based on progress and preferences. This is a collaborative process aimed at practical change.

Online sessions offer flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful for full conversations and teaching skill exercises, while phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging can provide shorter check-ins, quick problem-solving, or a way to stay connected between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to keep momentum when life gets hectic.