Valerie Rutherford , LISW

Valerie Rutherford is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) based in Ohio. She approaches mental health care with the belief that each person's needs are unique and that having multiple ways to receive support improves the chances of meaningful change. She has worked with adults, adolescents, children, couples, and families, with a career focus on mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress management, relationship challenges, and coping with life transitions.

As a licensed social worker, Valerie creates a warm, non-judgmental space where clients can explore difficult emotions and everyday struggles. She uses a collaborative, client-centered style and tailors interventions to fit individual needs. Her training includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care, allowing her to draw on a range of tools to address problems like grief, parenting stress, addictions, body image, and interpersonal conflict.

Valerie values flexibility and offers a range of communication options to make therapy accessible. She welcomes the chance to work together with clients to identify goals and practical steps forward, helping them build skills to manage symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Valerie uses client-centered therapy to prioritize each person's goals and lived experience, offering empathy and collaboration so clients guide the pace and focus of work. This approach is helpful for improving self-esteem, communication, and relationship issues.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. CBT is often used to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and to build practical coping skills for everyday challenges.

Additionally, Valerie incorporates Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which emphasizes accepting difficult feelings while clarifying personal values and taking meaningful action. ACT can be useful for managing stress, avoidance, and life transitions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Valerie works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts strategies over time based on what is most effective for each person.

Online therapy with Valerie is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for busy schedules and varying comfort levels. These options make it easier to fit consistent care into daily life and maintain momentum between sessions while working with licensed professionals and therapists.