- Stress and anxiety
- Addictions and recovery
- Career and identity
About Valerie
Valerie Johnson-Cardoso is a Florida LMHC with 30 years of experience. She helps people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy concerns, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, and issues common in early adulthood such as career strain, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.
She previously worked in residential mental health and residential substance abuse programs. She also taught for 16 years, supporting students with learning differences, emotional needs, autism, and developmental delays. During that time she ran a private practice in evenings and weekends and provided care in homes and day treatment settings in Pennsylvania and Florida.
Her work pays attention to how people respond to change and to the inner critic that often undermines progress. She frames change as a process and focuses on practical shifts people can make in daily life. Sessions aim to identify actions someone can take and patterns they can respond to differently.
Valerie has experience with faith transitions and what is sometimes called religious trauma syndrome. She also has a history supporting people with caregiving stress, cancer-related concerns, body image, ADHD, attachment issues, and a range of other challenges that affect functioning and relationships.
She emphasizes teamwork in therapy. Valerie aims to build trust and a nonjudgmental environment so people can speak honestly about feelings and take steps toward calmer daily living.
How Valerie integrates approaches for online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and feelings without fighting them and choosing actions that match personal values. It can help with anxiety, low motivation, and decisions about career or relationships.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and testing alternatives. It is practical for anxiety, depression, and changing daily habits that cause stress.
Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will review a person's needs, goals, and preferences and suggest approaches to try. Clients and the therapist adjust methods as progress is seen and goals evolve.
Confirm the specific session formats available before booking, since the biography does not list them. Online options can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when days are tight. Some formats may be better for quieter conversations, while others can suit people who prefer not to use video. Discussing what works practically is one of the first steps when setting up sessions.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
30+ years
Listed in
Florida
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy and relationship issues, career and self-esteem concerns, ADHD, and related areas.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style combines Client-Centered work with cognitive and behavioral methods and acceptance-based approaches to help people change unhelpful patterns and take practical actions.
How much experience does she have?
She has 30 years of experience in clinical settings, residential programs, teaching, and private practice in Florida and Pennsylvania.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Florida and has worked previously in Pennsylvania.
Can I work with her if I live outside the US?
She accepts international clients. Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are used?
Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified in the biography.
How does cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What do I do to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.