PuttingFamilyFirst

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VS Portrait of Prof. Valerie Starr
Online therapist

Prof. Valerie Starr

Compassionate, experienced counselor for everyday family life

Credentials
LCPC, LCMHC
Experience
38 years
Licensed in
New Hampshire, Nevada
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Valerie

Prof. Valerie Starr focuses on concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship struggles, parenting, grief, addictions, intimacy issues, anger, and self-esteem. She also addresses issues related to LGBT concerns and a wide range of additional topics like attachment issues, adoption and foster care, and caregiver stress.

Valerie Starr is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) practicing in Nevada with 38 years of experience.

Background and approach

She speaks English and accepts international clients. Her style is warm and person-centered. She aims to create a respectful space where people feel heard.

Sessions avoid labels and focus on each person’s real-life needs and goals. She uses clear, everyday language rather than jargon. Therapy often starts by talking through current struggles and practical steps for change.

Techniques draw from attachment-based work, client-centered principles, cognitive behavioral methods, existential questions, and hypnotherapy when appropriate. The work can include exploring relationship patterns, building coping skills, and improving communication. Valerie has worked in community mental health and independent practice over many decades.

She also taught graduate courses in Family Systems Therapy and Ethics as an adjunct professor for eleven years. That teaching experience shaped her focus on practical skills and ethical care. Sessions can be scheduled in several formats to fit busy lives.

She emphasizes collaboration - planning next steps together and adjusting the approach as needs change. The goal is clearer thinking, steadier coping, and a greater sense of direction.

Therapeutic approaches and online care that fit your life

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current patterns. It helps people notice emotional bonds and change how they relate to others so connections feel safer and clearer. Client-Centered Therapy centers the person’s experience and priorities. The therapist listens deeply, mirrors concerns, and helps clients find their own answers rather than giving directives. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It offers straightforward tools for managing anxiety, depression, and stress by changing unhelpful thinking and behavior.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about needs, goals, and preferences, then recommend methods that fit. Plans are adjusted over time based on what helps, so the work stays practical and relevant.

Online therapy allows the same approaches to be used through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to keep consistency when life is unpredictable. The variety of formats supports different needs - some people prefer real-time conversation while others find messaging or chat better for quick check-ins and ongoing support.

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 concerns does this therapist address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting, grief, addictions, anger, self-esteem, and LGBT concerns, among other topics.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her approach is warm and person-centered, using everyday language and avoiding labels while focusing on practical steps and respectful listening.
What is her professional background?
She has 38 years of experience in community mental health and independent practice and taught graduate courses in Family Systems Therapy and Ethics for eleven years as an adjunct professor.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She holds LCPC and LCMHC credentials with Nevada licensure details NV LCPC CP5222-R and NH LCMHC 139 and practices in Nevada.
In which languages can sessions be held and are international clients possible?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available for online work?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is cost handled for therapy sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Experience
38 years
Licensed
New Hampshire, Nevada
Languages
English

Next step

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