Valerie Farrell

Experienced LCSW guiding practical change

LCSW New York

Experience: 28 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Attachment-Based Therapy
Languages: English

About Valerie

Valerie Farrell brings 28 years of clinical social work experience to her therapeutic work in New York. As an LCSW she blends evidence-informed methods with a person-focused attitude, helping clients make sense of stress, anxiety, substance-related issues, trauma, and grief.

Background and approach

Her practice emphasizes understanding how complex and intergenerational wounds shape functioning across the lifespan while supporting practical steps toward greater resilience and coping. Her style mixes cognitive behavioral strategies with attachment-aware and client-centered perspectives, and she integrates mindfulness and motivational interviewing where helpful.

Valerie composes treatment plans around each person’s priorities, tailoring interventions to address concerns such as addiction recovery, chronic illness, communication problems, body image, caregiver stress, and the emotional impacts of loss. She frames therapy as a collaborative process aimed at clarifying goals, building skills, and fostering emotional regulation.

Prospective clients can expect experienced, flexible care focused on gradual change and renewed direction.

Approaches That Translate to Online Care

Valerie uses cognitive behavioral techniques to help clients identify unhelpful thinking and develop concrete coping strategies; this approach is practical for addressing anxiety, stress, and patterns that maintain addictive behaviors. She also draws on attachment-based work to explore relational patterns and early influences on emotional life, which can help people understand persistent relationship difficulties and feelings of emptiness. In addition, client-centered therapy provides a nonjudgmental framework that prioritizes the client’s perspective and supports self-directed growth.

Finding the right blend of methods is part of the therapeutic process, and Valerie approaches this collaboratively. She will work with each person to review goals, try different techniques, and adjust the plan based on what works best for their needs and preferences rather than assuming a single path up front.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and access. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care around work, caregiving, or medical demands and allow clients to engage in therapy from different locations while using the therapeutic approaches described above.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Valerie address?

She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, and coaching needs, along with related issues like attachment difficulties, body image, chronic pain, and caregiver stress.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style combines cognitive behavioral methods with attachment-informed and client-centered approaches, plus mindfulness and motivational interviewing to support practical skill building and emotional insight.

What is her professional background?

She has twenty-eight years of experience as a clinical social worker supporting people through trauma, substance concerns, grief, chronic health challenges, and relational issues.

Where is she licensed and based?

She practices in New York and holds an LCSW credential with license number NY LCSW 096333.

Does she provide services in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English; she is not listed as providing services in other languages.

Can international clients work with her?

She is not currently accepting international clients and works with people located where her practice permits in New York.

How are sessions scheduled and what formats are offered?

She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging so clients can choose formats that fit their schedules and preferences.

How is cost handled and how do I begin?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Addictions Trauma and abuse GriefCoaching

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivity Isolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stress Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryVisually impairedWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

28+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English