Welcome

My goal as your therapist is to help you understand yourself better, take better care of yourself, and make healthier choices to improve your relationships, work towards your goals, and feel happier with your life. I try to understand your problems in the context of your life history, your family background, and your cultural identity.  I take a warm, active, and collaborative approach to therapy sessions.

Some of the problems I work with include depression, anxiety, trauma, chronic pain or illness, relationship problems, family conflict, grief and loss, LGBTQ concerns (I am a straight ally), acculturation issues, and spiritual or existential concerns. I also work with couples.  Much of my experience has been working with university populations, including undergraduate, graduate, international, and non-traditional students, as well as faculty and staff. I also see many people working in the arts and non-profit sectors, but I enjoy working with people from all backgrounds.

I have had a private practice in Philadelphia since 2012 and am experienced in both psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral (CBT) approaches to therapy.  For more information on my training and experience, see About Me.  I am flexible in my approach and may suggest various different things to help you, but the primary treatment I offer now is relational psychodynamic therapy.  For more detailed information on this approach and to see if it sounds like a good fit for you, see Services.

Please note: Until several years ago, I practiced under the name Valerie R. Wilson, Ph.D.

I am currently offering only virtual sessions. I am authorized to work remotely with patients in 39 states through PSYPACT, an agreement among these states for licensed psychologists to work across state lines.  To see if your state participates, see https://psypact.org/mpage/psypactmap