Skip to main content

Valerie Stern, LCSW

Staff Therapist
Languages
English
French
SPECIALTIES
Talk Therapy

Education and training

  • California State University, Long Beach (Master of Social Work)

Get to know

Valerie Stern, LCSW

Valerie Stern, LCSW, has extensive experience in hospital outpatient settings, nonprofit agencies, and private practice. She is trained in CBT, ACT, DBT, MI, and IP, and is certified in equine-assisted psychotherapy, having led groups for veterans, at-risk youth, and individuals in recovery. Valerie holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a master’s degree in clinical social work. She began her career working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals and co-founded the Hearing Loss Association of Los Angeles, serving as its first president. Fluent in English, French, and American Sign Language, she brings a deep cross-cultural understanding from her time living in Europe and Asia.

Valerie approaches therapy with curiosity, kindness, and a commitment to creating a supportive, open environment. She helps clients challenge misconceptions and develop healthier thought patterns while fostering honesty, respect, and open communication. When appropriate, she uses humor to build connection and lighten moments in the therapeutic process.

In the first session, Valerie takes time to fully understand each client’s history and experiences to determine the best level of care. She collaborates with clients to create realistic, achievable treatment plans focused on positive behavioral and emotional change. She may incorporate homework, videos, and handouts for later reference, and uses appropriate self-disclosure to strengthen rapport and trust.

Get matched with a clinician like this one

Ready to book your first appointment? Take our 10-minute assessment. We’ll match you with a clinician who meets your needs, has availability, and takes your insurance.

Get started
More Clinicians

Jennifer Phillips, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Jennifer Phillips is a Licensed Clinical Social worker who has worked in the mental health field since 2013.  During graduate school, Jennifer completed her internships at the Tuscaloosa County jail, the University of Alabama Student Veterans Center, and the Birmingham Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center in their Health Care for Homeless Veterans program.  Jennifer went to undergraduate and graduate schools in Alabama and moved to Arizona in 2013 to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue working with homeless veterans.  Jennifer also has experience teaching at Pima Community College and is a clinical supervisor for associate level clinicians through the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners.  

Jennifer’s prior working experience and training has been with adults, homeless veterans, Native Americans, LGBTQIA, women, and individuals in rural or remote areas, providing access to much needed mental health services in provider shortage areas.  She enjoys working with patients who have anxiety, depression, insomnia, mood disorders, and self-esteem issues.  She is trained in geriatrics and especially loves working with adults over the age of 65.  

Jennifer is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mind-Body Approach, Mindfulness-Based Therapy, and Prolonged Grief Disorder (where the patient is experiencing grief for at least 12 months).  As she is trained in several different treatment modalities, Jennifer can customize therapy to meet everyone’s needs.

Barbara Pack, LPCC

Staff Therapist

Barbara (Barb) Pack is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with the Supervision Endorsement and a Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor, Clinical Supervisor Endorsement who has been providing mental health treatment for over 24 years and addiction treatment for over 27 years. Barb utilizes a combination of approaches in working with her clients, including person-centered, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, solution focused techniques, and a variety of other techniques. She has experience in several different types of treatment settings and treatment modalities in both Ohio and Florida. Barb enjoys working with individuals who also have co-occurring disorders, both mental health and substance use. Barb has experience working with a wide range of age groups and mental health issues including but not limited to depression, anxiety, trauma, stress management, grief, relationship issues, and a wide range of substance use issues. She will assess individuals' needs in their first few visits and work with them to develop an individualized treatment plan. Barb works to provide the empathetic listening and emotional support that her clients need to reach their goals. Her dream has been to work herself out of a job, as she wants to help her clients find healing and happiness. Barb attended the University of Akron for graduate school in a Community Counseling Program and attended Malone College, now University, and majored in Psychology.

James Bolo, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Jamie Bolo, LCSW, is an experienced clinical social worker who has practiced in outpatient settings, providing compassionate and effective care to individuals seeking support for their mental health and well-being. He earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland, where he developed a strong foundation in evidence-based clinical practice. Jamie’s dedication to helping others is reflected in his collaborative approach, emphasizing empathy, respect, and understanding in every therapeutic interaction.

Jamie values building a trusting and supportive relationship with each client in a comfortable, warm environment. He believes that therapy works best when clients feel genuinely heard and understood. His style is patient-centered and nonjudgmental, fostering a space where individuals can openly explore their experiences and work toward meaningful growth and change at their own pace.

Jamie begins by thoroughly understanding each patient’s background, challenges, and goals during the initial session. From there, he collaborates with clients to create an individualized treatment plan tailored to their specific needs. This personalized approach allows him to guide patients through the therapeutic process with clarity and care, ensuring that each step supports lasting emotional well-being.

Sonja Glasco, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Sonja Glasco, LCSW, has dedicated over 20 years to supporting children, families, and individuals navigating mood disorders, trauma, PTSD, and grief. She brings extensive training in techniques designed to create new neural pathways in the brain and has significant experience supporting couples through attachment-based approaches. In her practice, Sonja helps clients explore how life experiences have shaped them and partners with them to create a meaningful plan for healing.

Sonja’s therapeutic style is eclectic, allowing her to tailor care to each client’s unique needs. She frequently integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness training, while weaving in psychoeducational teachings to enhance growth and understanding. Her warm, collaborative approach empowers clients to feel supported, heard, and guided throughout their journey.

In the first sessions, clients can expect to feel safe, welcomed, and free to share their stories. Sonja encourages clients to guide the therapeutic process, ensuring they feel empowered to make choices that best meet their needs. Together, she and her clients focus on building practical skills, identifying effective strategies, and creating lasting change to support their goals and foster an optimal life experience.

Christine Cook, LPC

Staff Therapist

Christine Cook is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Prescott College. She is licensed in Arizona, Colorado, and Virginia. Christine is trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), CBT, DBT, play therapy, and holds certifications in life coaching and EAGALA. Her diverse experience includes roles as a primary, family, adventure, equine, crisis, and expressive arts therapist in both inpatient and outpatient settings, as well as private practice.

Christine is passionate about helping patients overcome life’s challenges by building on their strengths and developing healthy coping strategies. She brings a sensitive, compassionate, nonjudgmental, and genuine approach to therapy, creating a safe and accepting environment for growth and healing.

Christine tailors each session and treatment plan to a patient’s unique strengths and goals. Her respectful, empowering style integrates various therapeutic methods including solution-focused therapy, CBT, DBT, psychoeducation, IFS, and expressive arts to support personal growth and internal healing.

Melinda Morris, LCSW

Staff Therapist

Melinda Morris is a dedicated and compassionate LCSW with over 6 years of experience in the field of mental health. She holds a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee and has been a practicing counselor since 2018. Melinda specializes in helping individuals navigate life's challenges, including anxiety, depression, trauma, transitional periods, and relationship issues. Her approach isclient-centered and integrative, combining techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), and solution-focused therapy to tailor treatment plans to each client's unique needs and identifying their personal strengths to enhance theirprogress in becoming and feeling the best version of themselves in any new chapter they maybe experiencing. Throughout her career, Melinda has worked primarily in nonprofit and private practice settings. She is known for her empathetic listening, non-judgmental attitude, and ability to build rapport and trust to create a safe and supportive environment for her clients so they can find their voice and be truly heard and understood. Melinda is committed to ongoing professional development and regularly attends workshops and conferences to stay current with the latest advancements in mental health treatment. She is also an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). When she's not working, Melinda enjoys traveling, hiking, painting/drawing, and spending time with her awesome kiddo and fur babies.

Ready to get matched?

Start our short assessment
Specialties
Talk Therapy
States
California
Languages
English
French
Takes insurance
Virtual visits
years experience