Valerie Barnes

Hello, and welcome. I’m glad you’re here. My name is Ms. Valerie Barnes, and I’m a licensed clinical social worker – e.g., therapist, counselor, with a passion for helping individuals navigate life’s challenges, reconnect with their inner strength, and move toward healing and growth. I believe that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, and I strive to meet each person where they are with respect for their unique story, identity, and pace. Whether you're dealing with anxiety, trauma, grief, relationship struggles, or simply feeling stuck in life or in Chicagoland traffic.

Person-Centered and Supportive I aim to create a nonjudgmental space where your experiences, feelings, and goals guide the direction.

Cognitive-Behavioral Orientation When relevant, I offer strategies often used in CBT—such as identifying thought patterns, reframing unhelpful beliefs, practicing coping skills, and exploring how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact.

Psychoeducation I can explain symptoms, coping tools, mind-body responses, and therapeutic concepts in clear, accessible language to help you understand what you’re experiencing.

Hello I am glad you’re here! In our first session, my priority is to create a safe, welcoming space where your story matters and you can share at your own pace. We’ll start by getting to know each other, discussing what brought you here, and exploring what you’d like to achieve in therapy.