Valerie Keller Gates, LPC - Therapist in Oklahoma

About Valerie

Valerie Keller Gates is a licensed professional counselor who offers calm, practical support for people facing family and parenting challenges. She speaks plainly and listens closely, helping clients name their concerns and pick clear next steps. Sessions aim to be straightforward and grounded so overwhelmed parents can find workable changes.

Her style is warm, direct, and respectful, and she brings seven years of clinical experience to each meeting. Valerie earned a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Gerontology from Southern Nazarene University.

Background and approach

She completed a Master of Human Relations with an emphasis in Licensed Professional Counseling at The University of Oklahoma. She holds an Oklahoma LPC, number 6622, and has worked with adults, families, and groups across a range of concerns.

Her clinical work has included supporting people with depression, grief and loss, trauma and abuse, bipolar disorder, addiction with dual diagnosis, and parenting difficulties. She also helps with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, and issues such as codependency or communication breakdowns. Valerie combines practical tools with listening so clients can try changes between sessions.

Valerie often uses a client-centered approach alongside cognitive behavioral ideas and other therapies like EMDR, mindfulness, and narrative techniques. She adapts methods to the person in front of her instead of forcing a single model. Treatment plans are tailored to each person’s needs and goals.

Her manner is transparent, honest, and caring. She aims to create a space where people can be candid about hard topics and work toward clearer next steps.

Therapeutic approaches and how they fit online

Client-centered therapy is about meeting people where they are and shaping sessions around their priorities. It focuses on listening, acceptance, and helping the client decide next steps. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors keep problems going and offers practical exercises to change patterns and reduce symptoms.

Valerie often blends these approaches so treatment matches each person’s goals. She collaborates with clients to choose which methods to try and adjusts the plan as progress is made. Finding the right fit is seen as a joint process rather than a one-size-fits-all decision.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy more flexible. These options let people meet without travel, fit sessions into busy schedules, and continue work between meetings. The mix of real-time and text formats can support different needs, whether someone prefers talking live or checking in with messaging.

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.

EMDR

A structured protocol used with distressing memories, pairing recall with guided attention tasks. Some therapists adapt it for video sessions; whether that fits is worth asking about directly.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she address?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy issues, parenting and family problems, bipolar and ADHD related concerns, and related topics such as codependency or communication problems.

What is her general therapy style?

Her style is client-centered and pragmatic. She listens first, then offers tools from cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, narrative work, or EMDR when appropriate.

How much experience does she have?

She has seven years of experience working clinically with adults, families, and groups.

Is she licensed and where does she practice?

She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma, credential OK LPC 6622.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people from other countries work with her?

She does not take international clients at this time.

How are sessions delivered?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as session formats.

How do I begin therapy with her?

Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions based on the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Grief

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 7 years
Licensed: Oklahoma
Languages: English

Next step

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