PuttingFamilyFirst

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

VL Portrait of Valerie LaPorte
Online therapist

Valerie LaPorte

Compassionate, practical therapy for families

Credentials
LICSW
Experience
21 years
Licensed in
Minnesota
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Valerie

Valerie LaPorte is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) with 21 years of professional experience. She offers straightforward, calm support for parents and families facing stress, grief, anxiety, depression, addiction, and other life changes. Her tone in sessions is warm and practical.

She focuses on helping people find workable steps they can use at home. Valerie draws on methods that match each family's needs. She uses attachment-based ideas to look at bonds and trust.

Background and approach

She applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, to help change unhelpful thoughts and patterns. She also uses client-centered listening to make sure people feel heard. Her background includes long-term work with adults across many life stages and a range of concerns such as trauma, parenting challenges, sleep problems, and caregiver stress.

She has experience helping people manage anger, intimacy issues, and ADHD symptoms alongside mood concerns. Valerie has also worked with adoption and foster care questions, blended family dynamics, and aging-related stress. Sessions aim to be goal-focused and respectful.

Valerie emphasizes clear listening, practical problem solving, and dignity. She collaborates with each person to build a treatment plan that fits their daily life and values. Valerie practices in Minnesota and communicates in English.

She accepts international clients and uses a mix of video, phone, live chat, and text-based messaging to meet families where they are.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit family life

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early bonds and current relationships affect feelings and behaviour. It helps people understand trust, closeness, and how those patterns show up in parenting or family interactions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It offers clear tools to change unhelpful thinking and build healthier daily habits that can ease anxiety, depression, and sleeping problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Valerie will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as needed to fit family rhythms and real life demands.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging adds flexibility for busy parents. These formats make it easier to book short check-ins, keep therapy going during life transitions, and practice skills at home. Licensed professionals can use these options to meet people where they are and offer consistent support across different locations.

Attachment-Based Therapy

Looks at how early bonds shaped what you expect from closeness, and how that plays out now with a partner, a parent, or your own children.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Valerie address?
She works with many issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, parenting, sleeping problems, anger, self esteem, bipolar symptoms, compassion fatigue, and ADHD.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is empathetic and goal-directed. She listens closely, focuses on problem solving, and helps people set practical steps they can use between sessions.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Valerie brings 21 years of professional experience, including long-term clinical work across a wide range of issues and life stages.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed clinical social worker - LICSW - licensed in Minnesota with license number MN LICSW 18275 and practices from Minnesota.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and she also accepts international clients.
What formats are available for sessions?
Therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist factors; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Valerie?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule based on the therapist's availability.

Next step

Talk to Valerie

  • Takes a few minutes
  • Nothing to set up just to look
  • Stop at any point