Meet The Team!

The fit between therapist and client is one of the most important factors in therapy. We strive to create a comfortable and non-judgemental space for clients from all walks of life. Learn more about us and feel free to reach out to set up a free 15-minute therapy consultation!


  • Owner & Mental Health Counsellor.

    Hi, I’m Valerie. We’re glad to have you. I recognize that making the decision to reach out for support can be a difficult one - and i’m here to help you each step of the way!

    My goal is to always offer a warm and comfortable space for clients from all walks of life to feel safe in sharing their stories. My approach to therapy is focused on collaboration and creating a meaningful alliance within which we can explore ways to view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them more effectively.

  • Masters of Arts, Counselling Psychology, 2020

    Bachelor of Arts, Psychology & Sociology, 2018

    Canadian Certified Counsellor (No. 10007754)

  • Anxiety & panic

    Depression

    Self-care & coping mechanisms

    Self-esteem & self-compassion

    Life transitions

    Stress and academic difficulties

    Interpersonal conflict

  • Acceptance & Commitment Therapy Training (ACT), Feb 2021.

    Grief Treatment: Current Evidence-Based Approaches to Care Across the Lifespan, January 2022.

  • Where did you grow up? Labrador City, NL. Thankfully I love the winter, because it stays for a long time!

    Inspiration? Knowledge! I love to learn new things and I am thankful to be in a field that allows me to do that everyday.

    Favourite quote? “We are not responsible for our first thought, but we are responsible for our second thought and our first action. A lot of our personal power can be found in that space between our first and second thought.” - Joe Gerstandt

    Favourite colour? Green!

    Favourite subject in school? Psychology and history.

    Favourite food? I can’t go without ham and scalloped potatoes, but I have to have an honourable mention for sushi!!

    Favourite book? I have three that I can’t choose between - How We Know What Isn’t So by Thomas Gilovich, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Hurari, and Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson.

    Favourite pass time? Reading a good book, doing puzzles, or watching good ol’ Netflix.

    Pets? Yes, three! A cat named Pepsi and two dogs named Chuck and Barry. They get along well (most of the time).

    Ideal Vacation? Somewhere with snow - I love to ski!

  • I am so excited to be a member of the New Light team and to work together towards helping you further develop skills needed to feel empowered and able to make choices that align with your unique values. As a therapist, I strive to provide a consistent, empathetic, and non-judgemental space for clients to express themselves.

  • Master of Arts, Counselling Psychology, 2023

    Bachelor of Education, Social studies, 2016

    Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, History, 2015

  • Anxiety

    Depression

    Emotion Regulation

    Self-esteem, self-compassion

    Life transitions

    Burnout

  • Effective Strategies for Therapeutic Success in Clients with Borderline, Narcissistic, and Antisocial Personality Disorders, April 2023.

    Introduction to Motivational Interviewing, November 2022.

  • Where did you grow up? In the beautiful Big Land! Labrador City is my home and I’m thankful for that.

    Inspiration? Hmm… That’s a tough one! If I had to name a few it would be music, books, travelling, and my family!

    Favourite quote? “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” – The one and only B.B. King

    Favourite colour? Purple or green

    Favourite subject in school? History and Psychology

    Favourite food? Hands down, poutine.

    Favourite book? My current favourite is “The Change” by Kirsten Miller.

    Favourite pass time? Spending time at the cabin, crafting, dancing, skiing!

    Pets? Not currently but working on it.

    Ideal Vacation? Depends on my mood… for an adventure I would love to go to Japan. For relaxing, somewhere hot with a beach, and great food.

Our Approach

Cognitive-behavioural

Helping to develop skills related to awareness of negative thinking so you can view challenging situations more clearly and respond to them in a more effective way.

Strengths-based

Focusing on the inherent strengths specific to each individual and how these strengths can be applied to promote recovery and wellness. 

Mindful

Maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment with openness and curiosity.

Collaborative

Developing a meaningful alliance and working closely to establish therapeutic goals and promote positive change.

Inclusive

Creating a warm and comfortable space for clients from all walks of life to feel safe in sharing their stories.