Valarie Gardner, M.A., AMFT
Marriage and Family Therapy Associate
Therapeutic Approach
Valarie believes that we all hold the power to change our lives for the better. She emphasizes a collaborative, strengths-based approach to therapy.
As a trained EMDR therapist, Valarie helps clients process distressing experiences and live fulfilling, more present lives. With EMDR, Valarie’s clients experience change faster and on a deeper level than with traditional talk therapy.
Valarie’s approach to therapy is structured, compassionate, and empowering. As an Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed therapist, she helps her clients reframe their struggles as adaptive responses to past experiences, develop an awareness of their inner worlds, and achieve long-term healing.
Valarie brings to therapy her life experiences as mother and a former teacher, which together with her education and training have shaped her into a skilled and compassionate clinician.
She has successfully helped individuals and couples navigate many of life’s challenges, including anxiety, depression, emotional distress due to traumatic experiences, relationship problems, significant life transitions and parenting challenges.
Training
Valarie completed her clinical training at Pepperdine’s acclaimed Telehealth Community Clinic, where she worked with adult individuals, parents, and families.
Valarie is a trained Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapist. She is trained in various trauma treatment protocols (e.g., Recent Trauma, Group Trauma, and Early Trauma Protocols). Valarie is also trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples (EFTC).
Background and Education
Valarie Gardner, M.A., AMFT works as a clinician at Reframe Psychology Group under the clinical supervision of co-founder Anat Cohen, Ph.D.
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Valarie graduated from UC Santa Cruz with Honors and received a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She pursued her teaching credential from Cal State Northridge and taught kindergarten for 5 years. Valarie graduated from Pepperdine University with a masters degree in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy.
Psychology is a natural fit for Valarie as she fuses her curiosity and kindness with her educational background, training, and real-life experiences.
Standard Fees:
$170 for individual therapy
$225 for couples therapy
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