Valerie LaPorte, LICSW

Valerie LaPorte is a licensed clinical social worker (LICSW) based in Minnesota with 21 years of professional experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief, depression, addiction, and relationship or intimacy-related concerns. Valerie uses clear, goal-focused conversations to help people make changes that matter in daily life.

She draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships affect current patterns. Valerie also uses client-centered techniques that prioritize the person's own goals and lived experience. Cognitive behavioral methods are woven in to help identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors.

Her background includes many years supporting people with serious mental illness and a wide range of life challenges. She has experience across the lifespan, including work with older adults and people dealing with trauma, abuse, and caregiver stress. This variety informs a practical approach to problem solving.

Sessions tend to combine supportive listening with concrete tools such as thought tracking, emotion regulation skills, and small behavioral experiments. Valerie emphasizes dignity, respect, and collaboration so people feel heard and able to take next steps.

People who choose her often want straightforward guidance, help managing strong emotions, or support navigating major life changes. Prospective clients can expect a mix of empathy and action in sessions aimed at measurable progress.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-based work looks at how early bonds shape current reactions and relationship patterns. Online sessions can use this approach to notice patterns, practice new ways of relating, and process attachment concerns with guided reflection. Client-centered therapy centers the person's goals and experience, offering a space where the therapist follows the client's lead and helps clarify what matters most in day-to-day life. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing small behavior changes to reduce symptoms and improve functioning.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide which techniques to try and adjust them as progress unfolds.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It also supports practicing skills in everyday surroundings and brings therapy into the rhythms of regular life. Licensed professionals can adapt these approaches to remote sessions while focusing on concrete steps and emotional support.