Valerie LaPorte

Experienced LICSW guiding practical change

LICSW Minnesota

Experience: 21 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Valerie

Valerie LaPorte is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota who brings 21 years of professional experience to her therapeutic work.

Background and approach

Her practice emphasizes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) alongside attachment-based and client-centered methods to help people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, and a wide range of life changes. She has extensive background supporting clients with addictions, relationship and family concerns, parenting challenges, sleep difficulties, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

Across two decades of practice Valerie has worked with people from many life stages and circumstances, including those with complex or long-standing mental health needs. She describes her style as empathetic and goal-directed, combining focused listening with practical problem solving to develop individualized treatment plans.

Her work also integrates techniques from dialectical behavior therapy and mindfulness when they align with client goals and needs. Clients can expect an approach that emphasizes dignity, respect, and collaboration; Valerie aims to help each person feel heard while working toward measurable change.

She is an approved Minnesota board supervisor for clinical and non-clinical licensing and accepts English-speaking and international clients.

Therapeutic Approaches Applied to Online Care

Valerie commonly draws on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and many day-to-day challenges. Attachment-based therapy is also part of her work, focusing on patterns in relationships and how early connections influence current emotional responses and interpersonal safety. Client-centered therapy rounds out her approach by emphasizing empathy, respect, and collaboration so clients set the pace and goals for the work.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Valerie discusses options with each person, tailoring techniques and strategies to fit their needs, goals, and preferences rather than using one fixed model. Together the therapist and client decide which combination of methods will best support progress.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, allowing people to connect in ways that suit their schedules and communication style. These formats can make it easier to maintain continuity of care while balancing work, family, or other life demands, and they allow licensed professionals to deliver structured, goal-oriented therapy across distances.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Valerie commonly address?

She works with a broad set of issues including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and family problems, parenting, sleep concerns, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her approach is empathetic and goal-directed, combining focused listening with practical problem solving to create individualized treatment plans informed by CBT and other evidence-informed methods.

What is her professional background and experience?

Valerie brings 21 years of professional experience and has spent much of her career working with people who have serious or complex mental health needs.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She holds the LICSW credential and is licensed in Minnesota with the license number MN LICSW 18275.

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

Sessions are offered in English, and she does accept international clients.

Which session formats are available for meeting?

Valerie provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging as ways to work together.

How is pricing handled for sessions?

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

What are the first steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

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

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

21+ years

Licensed

Minnesota

Languages

English