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Valerie Novak

Valerie Novak, LMFT

Therapist in California

Compassionate therapy focused on real-life change

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10 years of experience listed

LMFT professional credentials

English languages

  • Attachment focus
  • CBT tools
  • Trauma-informed care

About Valerie

Valerie Novak is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California with ten years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, parenting strain, and issues that affect self esteem. Valerie aims to make the first step into therapy feel doable and respectful of each person’s strengths.

Her approach begins with listening. She treats each person as the expert on their life story and looks for what is already working. Sessions are practical and straightforward, with a focus on small, doable changes that reduce overwhelm and improve daily functioning.

Valerie draws on attachment-based ideas to help people understand relationship patterns and how early bonds affect current trust and closeness. She also uses cognitive behavioral techniques to identify unhelpful thought patterns and practice different responses. When trauma is part of the story, she incorporates narrative work and EMDR-informed care to help process distressing memories.

Clients can expect a calm, collaborative style that centers their goals. Valerie helps people develop tools for coping, repair communication struggles, and rebuild a sense of purpose after loss or big life changes. She also addresses focused concerns like caregiver stress, grief, abandonment issues, and social anxiety.

Valerie works in English and practices in California. She values steady progress over quick fixes and supports people who want to understand their patterns and create sustainable change.

How Valerie’s approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-based work looks at how early relationships shape current patterns. In sessions she helps people notice how connection, trust, and expectations show up in everyday interactions and teaches ways to change those patterns for healthier relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and practicing concrete skills to ease anxiety, depression, and low self esteem.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Valerie treats therapy as a collaboration and will help clients decide whether attachment work, CBT, or a narrative and EMDR-informed path fits best. She checks in about goals and adjusts methods as needs and preferences change.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life - it can reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins during a lunch break, or make it possible to meet without being on camera. Licensed professionals can use these methods remotely to guide skill building, process difficult memories, and support relationship changes while working around daily responsibilities.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesFamily conflictsParenting issuesDepression

Also works with

AddictionsTrauma and abuseGriefAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesCaregiver issues and stressCommunication problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / lonelinessLife purposePost-traumatic stressSocial anxiety and phobia

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Narrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

10+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Valerie help with?

She helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, parenting issues, addictions, grief, anger, self esteem, career shifts, and coping with life changes.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is collaborative and practical. She listens first, then works with clients to set small, manageable goals and tools they can use between sessions.

How much clinical experience does she have?

Valerie has ten years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and relational concerns.

What credentials and location are listed?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licensed in California and practices in that state.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients work with her?

She is not currently accepting international clients.

How is cost handled for sessions?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Valerie?

Click the continue button on this profile, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

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