Valerie LaPorte, LICSW - Therapist in Minnesota

Goal-focused support
Attachment-informed care
Mindfulness and CBT tools

About Valerie

Valerie LaPorte is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) with 21 years of professional experience. She brings steady, practical support for people facing depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, addiction, and many other struggles. Valerie aims to make therapy approachable and goal-focused so people feel heard and able to move forward.

Valerie has worked across a wide range of settings and with many kinds of challenges. Much of her career has involved supporting people with serious mental illness, and she has experience helping those coping with life changes, parenting stress, relationship problems, sleep difficulties, and compassion fatigue. She also addresses issues like ADHD, bipolar concerns, attachment challenges, and coping with natural or human-caused disaster.

Her style is grounded in listening, respect, and problem solving. Sessions emphasize clear goals, practical steps, and building on a person’s strengths. She uses approaches drawn from attachment-focused work, client-centered care, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior ideas, and mindfulness practices.

Valerie is approved by the Minnesota Board of Social Work as a clinical and non-clinical licensing supervisor. Her long career includes work with people from childhood through older adulthood and with varied life circumstances, including adoption and foster care, caregiver stress, and blended family challenges.

People who choose Valerie can expect straightforward, compassionate guidance. She works collaboratively to create a treatment plan tailored to each person’s needs and helps them practice skills between sessions to support lasting change.

How Valerie’s approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy helps people understand how early relationships shape current reactions and connection needs. Online sessions can be a place to notice patterns in relationships and practice new ways of relating in day-to-day life.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening, respect, and building on a person’s strengths. This approach makes space for people to set their own goals while a therapist offers steady support and reflection.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and teaches concrete skills to change them. It is often used for anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and parenting challenges in practical, skill-focused work.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Valerie collaborates with each person to match methods to their goals and preferences. Together they review what feels most helpful and adjust the plan as progress is made.

Session logistics vary, so confirm available formats before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow quicker check-ins on difficult days. Different approaches lend themselves to brief skill practice, longer reflective conversations, or a mix of both depending on a person’s needs.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Trauma and abuse Grief Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

AddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorderCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issues Mood disorders Panic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

21+ years

Credentials

Minnesota

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, relationship and family challenges, sleep problems, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and ADHD among other issues.

How would you describe the therapeutic style?

Her style is empathetic and goal-directed, combining focused listening with practical problem solving and strength-based work to help people meet clear goals.

What experience does she bring to sessions?

She has 21 years of professional experience and many years working with people who have serious mental illness and a wide range of life challenges.

What credential and location are listed?

She is a LICSW - Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker - licensed in Minnesota.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.

What session formats are offered?

Session formats are not specified in the biography. Please confirm current session options with the therapist before booking.

How are costs and payment handled?

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 her?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.