Valarie Johnson

Experienced LICSW blending warmth and practical change

LICSW Washington

Experience: 30 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Valarie

Valarie Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) with three decades of experience in counseling and support. She has worked across diverse settings and with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, trauma, stress management, family of origin issues, life transitions, and cross-cultural adjustment.

Background and approach

Her long practice reflects a steady commitment to helping people navigate major changes and overcome persistent emotional challenges. Her style is described as kind yet direct, offering both supportive listening and gentle challenges to promote forward movement.

She draws on multiple therapeutic traditions, including cognitive behavioral approaches, psychodynamic perspectives, and solution-focused techniques, adapting methods to match each person’s needs and goals. Valarie also offers Christian-based counseling when that aligns with a client’s preferences, while honoring other backgrounds and beliefs.

She approaches each client collaboratively and aims to nurture personal growth throughout the therapeutic process.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

Valarie Johnson uses cognitive behavioral therapy and solution-focused methods in her online practice, each explained in accessible terms. Cognitive behavioral therapy emphasizes identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression and to improve coping with life changes. Solution-focused therapy concentrates on setting practical goals and building on strengths, helping people move toward concrete improvements in areas such as stress management, relationships, or life transitions.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with clients to weigh needs, goals, and personal preferences and may blend methods to create a tailored plan that fits the individual’s situation and pacing.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility: clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what suits their life. These options make it easier to fit regular sessions into busy schedules, maintain continuity during transitions, and access support from home or other locations, while allowing a licensed professional to guide therapeutic work consistently.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does this therapist address?

Valarie Johnson works with a broad range of issues such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and parenting concerns, eating and self-esteem issues, and compassion fatigue, along with related topics like life purpose and post-traumatic stress.

What is the therapist's general approach in sessions?

Her style is typically supportive while also direct, combining listening with practical challenges to help clients make meaningful changes. She integrates cognitive behavioral, psychodynamic, and solution-focused methods as appropriate.

How long has she been practicing?

She brings 30 years of professional experience as a counselor, working in a variety of settings and with diverse client concerns.

What are her credentials and where is she located?

She is a licensed clinical social worker with the credential LICSW and holds WA LICSW LW60886686. Her practice is based in Washington.

Does she offer services in multiple languages or to international clients?

Sessions are provided in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available for online work?

Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different schedules and preferences.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesEating disordersParenting issuesSelf esteem Compassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationFamily of origin issuesHospice and end-of-life counselingLife purposeMood disorders Post-traumatic stressWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Psychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

30+ years

Licensed

Washington

Languages

English