Yuridia (Valerie) Polonsky

Compassionate, practical support for life transitions

LCSW Florida

Experience: 15 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English, Spanish

About Yuridia

Yuridia (Valerie) Polonsky is an LCSW practicing in Florida with 15 years of clinical experience. She centers her work on helping people manage anxiety, depression, stress, and significant life transitions using evidence-informed methods.

Background and approach

Valerie blends practical strategies with attentive listening to support clients facing relationship difficulties, addiction concerns, grief, and other emotional challenges. Her style emphasizes collaboration and skill-building, drawing on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy along with approaches that attend to emotions and attachment patterns.

Sessions aim to increase self-understanding, strengthen coping skills, and improve communication, while honoring each person’s background and values. Fluent in English and Spanish, she offers sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs.

Prospective clients are invited to begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to availability. Fees vary with location and therapist availability and are provided through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Yuridia integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into her online practice. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and developing practical strategies to change behaviors and emotions, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress management. ACT emphasizes values-driven action and learning to make room for difficult feelings while pursuing meaningful goals, often helping with life transitions and persistent emotional struggles.

Choosing the right approach is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist works with each client to clarify goals, try suitable techniques, and adjust methods as needed so the treatment reflects the client’s needs and preferences rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.

Online sessions are offered by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These formats let clients access consistent support without travel, fit sessions around work or caregiving responsibilities, and continue skill practice between meetings through messaging options with the therapist.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy-related issues, addiction, grief, parenting and career concerns, and ADHD among other areas.

What is her therapeutic approach and style?

Her practice combines practical skill-building and reflective exploration using evidence-informed methods such as CBT, ACT, and attachment-focused work to help clients develop coping strategies and insight.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 15 years of experience working as a licensed clinical social worker supporting people through diverse life challenges.

Where is she licensed and what are her credentials?

She holds a Florida LCSW with licence number FL LCSW SW12551 and practices from Florida.

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

She offers services in English and Spanish but is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available?

Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits their needs.

How are sessions priced?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are billed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working together?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling a session based on the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyFamily conflictsSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse GriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexual dysfunctionSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodImago Relationship TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English, Spanish