Prof. Valerie Starr, LCPC, LCMHC

Prof. Valerie Starr helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, trauma, grief, and issues around aging and caregiving. She also supports those facing depression, addictions, intimacy concerns, parenting strain, and questions of identity such as LGBT matters. Valerie uses a warm, person-centered approach and treats each client as an individual with their own strengths and goals.

She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with 38 years of experience. Valerie has worked in community mental health and private practice settings. She has supported people across the lifespan, including those coping with chronic illness, caregiver stress, adoption and foster care issues, and attachment concerns.

Valerie blends attachment-based ideas with client-centered and cognitive behavioral techniques. She also draws on existential and hypnotherapy approaches when appropriate. In sessions she focuses on building a respectful, nonjudgmental relationship and on practical steps people can take to feel better and move forward.

Her background includes eleven years teaching graduate-level courses in Family Systems Therapy and Ethics in the Counseling Profession. That teaching work informs her attention to relationships and to the ethical aspects of care.

People who work with Valerie can expect a steady, compassionate presence, straightforward conversation, and a focus on real-life changes. She values authenticity and helps people identify next steps that fit their lives and values.

How her approaches shape online care

Attachment-Based Therapy emphasizes safety in relationships and looks at how early patterns affect current connections; it can help with relationship problems, attachment issues, and caregiver stress. Client-Centered Therapy centers on the person in the room, encouraging honest conversation and self-directed change through empathy and listening. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and offers practical strategies to reduce anxiety, manage depression, and change unhelpful habits.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and help decide which methods fit best. That collaborative process can blend approaches over time based on what is helping and what isn’t.

The profile does not specify which online session formats are used, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or medical appointments and can reduce travel time. It can also allow shorter check-ins or sessions when that better fits a busy day. Many people find it practical for ongoing support while balancing everyday responsibilities.