Valerie Rutherford

Collaborative, practical support for life changes

LISW Ohio

Experience: 18 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Valerie

Valerie Rutherford is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) based in Ohio with 18 years of clinical experience.

Background and approach

She has spent her career focused on mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, stress management, relationship challenges, and coping with life changes, and she brings that experience to work with individuals, adolescents, children, couples, and families.

Valerie frames care around collaboration and tailors interventions to each person's needs, drawing on approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with mindfulness-informed and acceptance-based techniques. Clients can expect a warm, nonjudgmental environment where emotions and practical problems are explored together.

Her style emphasizes client-centered dialogue, practical skills, and strategies to manage symptoms like anxiety, depression, grief, or difficulties with intimacy and communication. Valerie also addresses a broad range of related concerns including parenting, addiction, ADHD, trauma, eating and body image issues, and caregiver stress.

She offers multiple remote session formats and flexible scheduling so clients can find an arrangement that fits their life. Valerie encourages prospective clients to take the initial step toward support and to discuss goals and preferences so a personalized plan can be developed.

Evidence-Informed Approaches Offered Online

Valerie uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify unhelpful thinking patterns and build practical strategies for changing behaviors and managing symptoms like anxiety and depression. She also integrates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support values-based living and to help people increase psychological flexibility when facing difficult emotions. These approaches are presented in clear, actionable terms to address concerns such as stress, relationship difficulties, grief, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right method is part of the therapeutic process and Valerie approaches selection collaboratively. She listens to each person's goals and preferences, explains options, and adjusts techniques over time so the plan aligns with what the client wants to accomplish.

Online delivery through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging makes it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and maintain continuity when schedules change. These formats offer flexible ways to practice skills between sessions, stay connected during transitions, and access licensed professionals without commuting, helping clients engage in consistent care on terms that suit them.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Valerie commonly address?

She works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, relationship and family problems, trauma and abuse, grief, eating and body-image issues, addictions, ADHD, and other related areas.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her approach is collaborative and client-centered, combining practical skills, mindfulness, and acceptance-based ideas to help people manage emotions and make concrete changes.

What is her clinical background and experience?

She has 18 years of experience focused on mental health work with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families and has developed expertise in areas such as stress management, relationship issues, and coping with life transitions.

What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?

She is listed as LISW with the credential detail OH LISW I.0600059-SUPV and practices out of Ohio.

In what language does she offer therapy and can international clients join?

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

Which session formats does she provide?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different preferences and scheduling needs.

How are costs and scheduling handled?

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?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyParenting issuesSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoachingCompassion fatigue ADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shame ImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disorders Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

18+ years

Licensed

Ohio

Languages

English