Valerie Karabin

Welcome! I’m Val Karabin, a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey entering a rewarding "second act" career focused on holistic mental wellness. After graduating from Kean University with a specialization in DBT and mindful behavioral change, I built a practice centered on treating the entire person. I believe that true healing involves both mind and body, which is why I incorporate strategies for better sleep, nutrition, physical activity, and relaxation alongside traditional therapy. In my own time, I practice yoga and meditation to stay grounded, and I look forward to helping you find your own balance.

I believe in meeting clients exactly where they are and building forward at a pace that feels safe. Because starting therapy can feel overwhelming, I focus on creating an open, inviting space where you can gently explore deep-seated emotions. I love Maya Angelou’s insight that "when you know better, you do better"—but I also recognize that "doing" takes practice. Together, we will work to understand and gently untangle the ingrained automatic reactions shaped by your past experiences, giving you the space to practice new ways of moving forward.

Our first couple of sessions are all about getting to know one another, building trust, and ensuring we are a good fit. Together, we will identify 1–3 areas of your life you’d like to transform and collaborate on a tailored treatment plan complete with practical worksheets, resources, and weekly challenges. My practice is deeply rooted in DBT, meaning our space is entirely non-judgmental. I view life through a dialectical lens—believing that two opposite things can be true at once, and that your unique, subjective experience deserves validation rather than labels of "right" or "wrong."