Works with
- Anger
- Stress, Anxiety
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
How Valerie works
Practical facts
- Credentials
- LISW
- Licensed in
- Ohio
- Years in practice
- 18
- Languages
- English
- Session format
- Online, through our partner platform
About Valerie
Valerie Rutherford is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) based in Ohio with 18 years of clinical experience. She focuses on practical help for common struggles like stress, anxiety, anger, and parenting challenges. Her style is calm and direct, and she aims to make next steps clear for people who feel overwhelmed.
She combines person-centered listening with proven strategies to help people change what they can and accept what they cannot.
Background and approach
Sessions move at a practical pace. Conversations focus on everyday choices, coping skills, and clearer communication. Valerie emphasizes short-term tools and longer-term coping plans depending on what a person needs.
Her work addresses a wide range of concerns including depression, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, eating-related problems, addictions, ADHD, and career stress. She also supports people dealing with adoption and foster care topics, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, and recovery from domestic violence.
Valerie uses approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She adapts these methods to match each person’s situation rather than using a single fixed plan. Therapy sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs.
Valerie works with adults and adolescents and frames the work as a collaborative process where goals are set together.
What Valerie works with
Everything Valerie lists, in the therapist's own terms. Anger is the reason this directory exists; the rest tells you what usually sits alongside it in Valerie's practice.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Co-morbidity
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Veteran and Armed Forces Issues
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Paranoia
- Personality disorders
- Phobias
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Valerie lists
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How Valerie’s Approaches Work Online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without being ruled by them. It emphasizes chosen values and small actions that move life in a meaningful direction, which can help with anger, depression, and life transitions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It teaches practical tools to test unhelpful thoughts and change reactions, helpful for anxiety, stress, and mood concerns.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills. Those techniques can reduce intense reactions and improve relationships when emotions feel overwhelming.
Finding the right approach is a team effort. Valerie will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, then try techniques that fit the issue and the person’s daily life. The plan can change as progress is made so the work stays useful and manageable.
Online sessions include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful for full conversations and practicing new skills together. Phone can work well when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit people who prefer brief check-ins, written reflections, or support between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or parenting schedules.
Questions people ask about Valerie
What concerns does Valerie help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, anger, depression, parenting challenges, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, grief, eating concerns, addictions, ADHD, and related areas listed in her profile.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and client-centered with practical skill teaching. Sessions focus on problem-solving, emotion regulation, and clearer communication.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 18 years of experience working in mental health settings with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LISW - Licensed Independent Social Worker - practicing in Ohio.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English. She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats does she offer?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different preferences and schedules.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started with sessions?
To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.