Valarie Johnson , LICSW

Valarie Johnson is a LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) based in Washington with 30 years of experience supporting adults through challenging life moments. She has practiced in a variety of settings and spent significant time working internationally with expatriates and indigenous communities, bringing a broad, culturally informed perspective to her work.

Her practice focuses on a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, coping with life changes, addictions, relationship challenges, eating concerns, parenting, self-esteem, and compassion fatigue. She also addresses issues such as abandonment, adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, codependency, disaster-related adjustment, divorce, family of origin wounds, hospice and end-of-life matters, life purpose, mood disorders, post-traumatic stress, and women’s issues.

Valarie’s style is often experienced as kind but direct - she offers steady support while also challenging clients to move forward. Her approach blends cognitive behavioral techniques, solution-focused strategies, and psychodynamic perspectives to tailor treatment to each person's needs. She can provide Christian-based counseling when desired and respects each client’s background and preferences. Valarie aims to collaborate with clients, using whatever combination of modalities best serves their goals and fosters lasting growth and well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Valarie Johnson integrates several evidence-informed approaches into remote work to meet clients where they are. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns; it can be especially useful for anxiety, depression, and stress management by teaching practical skills for coping and problem solving. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on clients' strengths and immediate goals, helping to create small, achievable steps toward desired change and restoration of daily functioning. Psychodynamic Therapy explores how past relationships and life experiences influence current patterns, offering insight into long-standing emotional difficulties and relational issues.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Valarie works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts the plan as progress is made. This cooperative process helps ensure treatment feels relevant and effective for each client.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit care into busy lives or to continue work when in-person visits are not possible. For many people, remote sessions increase access to licensed professionals and allow consistent momentum toward recovery and growth.