- Emotionally-Focused Therapy
- ACT and CBT methods
- Trauma and grief
About Valerie
Valerie Johnson-Cardoso is a licensed mental health counselor, FL LMHC, with 30 years of clinical and teaching experience. She offers help for stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, parenting strain, relationship issues, and concerns such as ADHD and self-esteem. Sessions are conducted in English and she accepts international clients.
Valerie spent many years working in residential mental health and residential substance abuse settings. She also taught for 16 years, supporting students with learning differences, autism, and developmental delays. During that time she ran a private practice evenings and weekends and provided in-home and day treatment services in Pennsylvania.
Her work draws on several practical approaches including Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). She prioritizes simple, clear techniques clients can use between sessions. Valerie focuses on how emotions, thoughts, and behaviors interact in everyday life and on small steps that reduce distress.
Valerie also has knowledge of religious trauma syndrome and faith transition issues. She notes that change is a process and often begins with shifting responses rather than external circumstances. A common theme in her work is helping people quiet a harsh inner critic and practice more self-acceptance.
She emphasizes teamwork in sessions, inviting clients to weigh in on what helps. The approach is intended to be direct and practical, with attention to building trust and allowing people to express feelings without judgment.
How her approaches translate to online work
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people notice and name their emotions, find patterns in how they react, and try new responses. EFT can be useful for processing strong emotions and understanding relationship and attachment patterns. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on clarifying values, accepting difficult thoughts and feelings, and taking committed actions that fit what matters to the client. ACT is often used for anxiety, stress, and life changes.Valerie views choosing an approach as a collaborative step. She will talk with clients about their goals and preferences and suggest methods that fit those aims. Over the first sessions she checks what helps and adjusts the work so it aligns with the client's needs.
The therapist's biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm your preferred options before booking. Many people find that remote sessions make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, and reduce travel time. Online work can also make it simpler to continue care when life or location changes, and Valerie can discuss how to structure sessions to suit your schedule.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, intimacy and relationship issues, parenting and family concerns, ADHD, and related problems.
What is her general therapeutic style?
Her approach is practical and collaborative, using Emotionally-Focused Therapy alongside ACT, CBT, DBT, and client-centered techniques to help with emotions and behavior.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 30 years of experience working in residential mental health, residential substance abuse, schools, private practice, and community treatment settings.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Florida licensed mental health counselor (FL LMHC) based in Florida and with professional experience in Pennsylvania.
Which languages and client locations are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats; please confirm current session options before booking.
How is cost handled?
Session cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.