Valerie's practical background includes 18 years experience working with families of addicts. Her experience includes co-facilitating groups at Bridgeway Behavioral Health-Outpatient and After Care and Assisted Recovery Centers of America (ARCA). She has experience working with a variety of populations as well as different recovery treatment approaches. She facilitates groups and works individually with clients.

As a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), Valerie works with clients (immediate/extended family members and others) who are in relationships with someone who struggles with substance use/abuse/dependency. She works with clients from a strengths-based perspective. Clients create individual plans to facilitate healthy relationships with the addict in their lives. Clients also develop their own plan for self-care. Valerie assists clients to focus on co-dependent/enabling behaviors. Ultimately, changing their behaviors improves their quality of life