Prof. Valerie Starr , LCPC, LCMHC

Prof. Valerie Starr offers support for people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, grief, trauma and abuse, addictions, self-esteem and intimacy-related issues. She also addresses parenting challenges, anger, LGBT concerns, and related topics such as abandonment, attachment issues, body image, cancer-related distress, and caregiver stress. Valerie is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) practicing in Nevada with 38 years of experience.

Her approach is warm and person-centered. She focuses on meeting each person where they are and treating them as an individual rather than a label. Sessions aim to build understanding, increase coping skills, and strengthen relationships. Valerie emphasizes respect, genuineness, and the client’s own goals.

She has worked in both community mental health and private practice settings. Valerie has supported people across the lifespan, including those recovering from trauma and loss, and those wanting to improve parenting skills or relationship patterns. Her background includes teaching graduate-level courses in family systems and ethics for eleven years as an adjunct professor.

In sessions she combines practical tools and reflective work. Methods may include exploring attachment patterns, using client-centered conversation to clarify values, and applying cognitive strategies to manage thoughts and emotions. Hypnotherapy and existential perspectives are also part of her toolkit when appropriate.

People who choose to work with her can expect a collaborative, respectful process focused on realistic changes. She aims to help clients build resilience and find more satisfying ways to handle life’s stresses and relationship challenges.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at patterns in close relationships and how early connections shape current trust and intimacy. Online sessions can help identify those patterns and practice new ways of relating in everyday life. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening, empathy, and the client’s own goals; it helps people clarify values and feel heard during video or phone conversations. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on practical strategies to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which translates well to online work through guided exercises and homework.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. She works collaboratively with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. That might mean combining attachment-focused conversations with CBT skill-building, or using hypnotherapy elements when they suit the client’s needs.

Online formats bring clear practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face interaction when visual cues matter. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is low or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging work well for brief check-ins, quick coping tips, or when daily journaling and back-and-forth support help progress. Together these options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into busy lives.