Valarie Johnson

Valarie Johnson is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 30 years of counseling experience in Washington. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship concerns, parenting strain, and questions about life purpose. Valarie also addresses compassion fatigue and self-esteem struggles.

Her background includes long-term clinical work in varied settings, including many years supporting people living overseas and adjusting cross-culturally. That experience informs how she listens to cultural and life-transition issues. She draws on decades of practice to help clients sort immediate problems and longer standing patterns.

Valarie’s style is described as kind but direct. She supports people in making life choices and challenges them to move forward when needed. Sessions balance practical problem-solving with reflecting on deeper emotional patterns.

Her work combines Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy. She can include Christian-based counseling when requested and will respect each person’s background and preferences.

In sessions she uses straightforward conversation, goal-focused plans, and occasional lookbacks at how past relationships shape current choices. People often come to her when they feel stuck after a change, unsure what matters next, or overwhelmed by loss or stress.

To begin, people choose the online therapy options and complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling a first session.

How her approaches translate to online work

Valarie uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in ways that suit online sessions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely and helping clients name what matters most. It can help when someone is unsure about goals or feeling stuck. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy looks at thoughts and behaviors and uses concrete exercises to shift unhelpful patterns. It is useful for managing anxiety, depression, and stress.

Choosing a therapeutic approach is part of the work together. She will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and decide collaboratively which methods to try. That may mean mixing listening-focused work with solution-focused steps and practical homework between sessions.

Confirm the specific session formats before you book since formats are not listed here. When available, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. They also let people use a phone when bandwidth is low or choose a quieter spot to focus. The aim is to match therapy methods and scheduling to the client’s life and goals rather than promise a particular outcome.