Valerie Wise , LCSW

Valerie Wise is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with licensure in both Illinois and Indiana and 30 years of professional experience. As a solution-focused coach and therapist, she approaches each person as the expert of their own story and works collaboratively to identify practical, attainable steps toward the outcomes they want. Valerie blends clinical and coaching skills to support clients in clarifying goals, improving communication, and navigating difficult life transitions.

Her practice honors the spiritual values that many clients bring to therapy, viewing those values as an important part of the healing and decision-making process. By emphasizing strengths, realistic solutions, and the client’s own priorities, she helps people move toward meaningful change. Valerie recognizes that beginning therapy can take courage and she acknowledges the bravery it takes to take that first step, offering steady, respectful support throughout the process.

Solution-Focused and Trauma-Informed Care Online

Valerie uses solution-focused methods that help clients identify strengths, set clear goals, and take small, practical steps toward change; this approach is often effective for relationship concerns, life transitions, and building self-esteem. She also draws on trauma-informed techniques that prioritize understanding the effects of past trauma and addressing symptoms such as post-traumatic stress, shame, and guilt in a paced, respectful way. In addition, coaching and skills-based strategies are used to improve communication, clarify life purpose, and develop concrete coping tools.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Valerie works with each person to explore what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting techniques over time as progress is made and priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy schedules and to connect from different locations. For many people, these options increase access to consistent support from licensed professionals and therapists while maintaining the same therapeutic focus as in-person work.