Valerie Franklin

Hi, I’m Valerie, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Professional School Counselor, and founder of Therapy Is Life, PLLC. With over 20 years of experience in mental health, I bring both real-world perspective and clinical expertise to our sessions.

I specialize in supporting women and older teens who feel emotionally overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in difficult relationship patterns whether with family, friends, partners, or themselves. Many of my clients are navigating the emotional toll of strained relationships, racial stress, workplace micro aggressions, and the quiet burden of always having to hold it all together.

I create a space where your experiences aren’t just understood, they’re centered. My culturally responsive approach blends practical tools with deep empathy, helping you unpack what’s heavy, explore what’s possible, and feel more clear, confident, and connected, in therapy and in life.

I provide individual therapy through a secure, HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform. I accept multiple insurance plans and offer flexible scheduling to make therapy more accessible.

My approach is supportive, straightforward, warm, and real. I meet clients with deep empathy and zero judgment, then I walk with them as they make simple but powerful shifts that lead to long-lasting change.

I blend Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person-Centered Therapy to help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, and patterns, then build the tools to shift them. I don’t just listen and nod; I offer empathetic but honest conversation, meaningful strategies, and a calm presence to help you process your emotions and take action at your own pace.

I believe therapy should matter beyond the hour. That’s why I focus on helping clients reconnect with themselves, unlearn unhelpful patterns, and feel more grounded in their daily lives.

Clients often tell me they leave sessions with more clarity, more confidence, and a renewed sense of possibility. In our work together, you can expect to gain:

• A deeper understanding of how your life experiences have shaped your emotions, patterns, and relationships
• Real, usable strategies to help you feel more steady and in charge
• Stronger boundaries, better emotional regulation, and more self-trust
• Less overwhelm and more peace of mind
• A no-pressure environment where you can be fully yourself

I don’t offer surface-level advice or quick fixes. I support you in making meaningful, lasting shifts that ripple into every area of your life, so you don’t just feel better, you live better.