Valerie Smith

Hi, I’m Valerie, and I specialize in complex/developmental trauma and grief. I work primarily with women navigating childhood trauma, complicated family dynamics, narcissistic abuse, and what it means to move through life without the support they should have had. I also work with young adults who have experienced the loss of one or both parents.

Many of my clients are used to being the "strong one" -- the one who holds everything together, even while feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or exhausted underneath. Therapy with me is a space where you don’t have to do that anymore.

I use EMDR and Induced After Death Communication therapies to help process experiences that feel stuck, not just intellectually, but emotionally and physically. This work goes beyond talking about what happened; we focus on helping your system actually shift so those experiences no longer carry the same weight.

I have a particular passion for working with grief, including the kind that isn’t always recognized—like estrangement, losing a parent (emotionally or physically), or becoming an adult without the support you needed. I don’t believe grief is something you “get over,” but something you learn to carry differently.

I earned my Master of Social Work from Fordham University and my Bachelor of Social Work from Adelphi University, graduating summa cum laude from both. I began my work in a community mental health clinic and later worked in several private practices before opening my own.

I believe therapy is a partnership. My role is not to “fix” you, but to walk alongside you as you develop greater self-understanding, resilience, and self-compassion. Together, we work toward helping you feel more grounded, more connected to yourself and others, and more able to live a life that aligns with your values and hopes for the future. My style is warm, collaborative, and down-to-earth. We move at your pace, and our work is tailored to you, not a template.

I have a deep respect and passion for working with trauma survivors, individuals navigating grief—particularly young adults who have lost a parent—new mothers, and those facing significant life transitions. I take an eclectic and collaborative approach to therapy, tailoring treatment to each individual in order to create a personalized blend of strategies that best supports your healing and growth.