As a trained psychotherapist and relational life therapist, I aim to help my clients create deep and lasting change.
I use an eclectic approach combining my training in Somatic Experiencing, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Trauma Transformation Healing, Memory Reconsolidation, and Relational Life Therapy (RLT).
The techniques I use provide quick and lasting transformation at the unconscious level.
My clients see effective and long-lasting change often in the first session.
The pain you are feeling and the growth you are hoping for is too great and too urgent to slowly work through in traditional therapy or coaching for months or years. If you are like me, you want quick, long-lasting and transformative results. After working with long term clients I realized that short-term, intensive spurts are much more effective.
We create effective, permanent change in two and a half days. We spend the first half day session working with you - as a couple - to get clear on what shifts you want to make and together we discover what unconscious patterns are keeping you stuck in the first place. The next two days of the intensive create HUGE transformations.
The intensive is specific to your relationship and your needs and wants, but likely we will:
Learn new relationship skills that will improve communication
Identify & disrupt the core problematic pattern that is keeping your relationship stuck
Trauma recovery and inner child healing
Relieve anger, resentments, and arguments
Relationship reckoning – should we stay or should we go?
Create new healthy and loving patterns
Move through common areas of disagreement to get on the same page
Have a plan to continue health and intimacy in your relationship
I use the Relational Life Therapy model to guide the arc of the intensive across three phases. Within that structure, I draw on multiple therapeutic modalities to meet each couple where they are and move through what's actually driving the pattern.
Day One: Wake Up
We start by getting honest. Lovingly, but directly. We look at the patterns that have been running your relationship, the cycles you're both stuck in, the behaviors that have been doing damage, the dynamic you've each been contributing to without fully seeing it. This isn't about blame. It's about finally being able to name what's actually been happening between you, often for the first time.
Day Two: Heal
Once we know what the patterns are, we go underneath them. This is the deep inner child work and trauma work that heals the relational wounds that have been driving the behaviors all along. Both partners are present for this, which is what makes it so powerful. When your partner witnesses where your reactivity was born, something shifts in them that no amount of explaining could ever accomplish. Compassion replaces defensiveness. Empathy replaces armor. This is usually the day the walls come down.
Day Three: Relational Skills
The final day is about the rest of your life together. We translate everything that happened into real, minute-to-minute skills. How to move through conflict without destroying each other. How to repair after a rupture. How to speak up with love instead of armor. You leave with a shared language, a clear map of your cycle, and the tools to actually live differently.
When you register for an Intensive, you can expect:
Two and a half consecutive days of healing and transformation
A Summary Statement: a personalized record of your breakthroughs, your patterns, and your exact next steps — yours to keep forever
In person at Starobin Counseling, 18213 Hillcrest Avenue, Olney, MD 20832 (or virtual)
Option to schedule follow up sessions after your weekend intensive (as availability permits)
Which makes it the perfect format for individuals and couples who need results quickly!!
Your intensive sessions are structured to meet your specific individual/family goals and needs. Read below to understand potential topics to be covered.
If you've ever been in traditional therapy or coaching, you'll notice that the first 15-20 minutes of every 50 minute session is spent catching up on what's happened since the last session.
With the intensive format, we get back that wasted time because the sessions are longer and are closer together.
Essentially, the Intensive is comparable to about six months of weekly sessions of traditional therapy.
We meet in person at Starobin Counseling, 18213 Hillcrest Avenue, 2nd Floor, Olney, MD. Virtual sessions are also an option.
Please note: the office is located on the second floor of a home that has been transformed into an office suite, and there is not an elevator.
Two and a half consecutive days of couples therapy and a summary packet: a personalized record of your breakthroughs, your patterns, and your exact next steps.
Additional follow up sessions can be added if desired.
This depends on many factors and on what each partner wants for the relationship and themselves. Most couples that come to me have been to 3 or more therapists/coaches with little success before working with me.
If you want transformation, growth, and don't like to settle - this is going to give you exactly what you need.
Your investment for 2.5 days of life-changing healing & transformation is $5,500. During your free consultation, I'll be happy to discuss payment options.
I only offer one intensive per month and need to be sure this service is the right fit for your situation. Please schedule a free consultation call where I'll gather some information about your situation, you can ask me any questions, and we can decide what is the best path for you.
Yes. As an alternative, I also offer weekly sessions as LGPC & Certified Relational Life Therapist at Starobin Counseling.
Please contact Becky, our Client Care Coordinator, at becky@starobincounseling.com for more information about how to schedule weekly or biweekly therapy sessions with me.
At the end of the intensive we will create a plan for you to ensure continuity and so you can move forward. You will have an option to schedule an additional intensive or weekly sessions if spots are available.
Much thought, care, time, attention, and love are invested towards creating a meaningful and potent intensive experience. With that in mind, please note the following cancellation policy:
4+ weeks notice: Refund of down payment minus $440
2+ weeks notice: Refund of down payment minus $880 OR Registration and payment can be transferred to a future weekend intensive (minus a 10% fee) up to 2 weeks prior to the event.
13 days or less: No refund offered
In the highly unlikely event that I cancel the intensive you will be refunded your full payment amount.
After working with Valerie our marriage just works so much better. We don't raise our voices at each other anymore - and we resolve problems much quicker, our anxieties have almost disappeared and we don't get defensive anymore. Now, we can focus on creating success & happiness in the rest of our life now that we are secure and happy with our relationship! We have reinvested in our relationship, we are more committed and closer than ever!" - Brad and Carolyn
My life is completely and totally different. I went from feeling powerless to powerful beyond measure. Valerie’s coaching is invaluable. I truly feel that this was THE turning point in my life thus far. Valerie has truly changed my life and the lives of my husband and children forever." - Gina S.
Relationship challenges with partner, children, or family
Setting better boundaries
Wanting more self-compassion and confidence
Reaching business, health, or career goals
Release anxiety, anger or guilt
Heal past traumas and create emotional freedom
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