Valerie L Grunsted, M.S.W.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Valerie specializes in individuals, couples & groups with anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, sexual orientation, career transitions, & bariatric evaluations.

Overview

Valerie is a licensed clinical social worker in the State of Illinois. She received her BA in Spanish and Psychology and her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois. She has 12 years of experience in clinical social work.

Valerie has worked with adults and adolescents in inpatient and outpatient mental health settings, as well as with children and families in the child welfare system. She has significant experience in working with trauma survivors and their loved ones, and helping individuals with life and work transition issues.

Valerie is bilingual in English and Spanish, and successfully completed an internship as a medical translator at Cook County Hospital in 1988. She has spent most of her career working with the Latino communities of Chicago, Lake, McHenry and Kane Counties.

Valerie's therapeutic orientation is a blend of cognitive, behavioral, internal family systems and psychodynamic approaches. She has completed EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) I training, and EMDR sessions are available where clinically appropriate.

Valerie L Grunsted sees patients at the following location(s):

Chicago, Illinois

Allies in Healing
4753 N. Broadway St., Suite 903
Chicago, Illinois 60640
Phone: (773) 334-5168
Fax: (773) 334-5168
E-mail this therapist
Web: http://www.alliesinhealing.com/

Personal Statement

Thank you for reading my profile.

Life is a journey with many experiences and choices. We all share the experience of being human and struggling with challenges at various points in our journey. Sometimes it helps to get support or clarification as we navigate our path and find our way.

In my clinical career, I have had the opportunity to share this journey with my clients and work with them to find happier outcomes and come to terms with their issues, be it issues around depression and anxiety, career or life transitions, relationship concerns, work performance, parenting, sexuality or illness.

I provide an affirming, respectful setting for clients to identify their strengths, clarify their goals, and work through negative patterns in order to make positive changes in their lives.

I welcome the opportunity to speak with you further about this process and to explore whether I might be a good fit for you in your journey.

Please call for the latest information about my managed care affiliations, as these can change. I also provide a sliding scale fee for those who qualify.

Treatment Areas

Valerie has experience treating the following areas: ADHD, AIDS Issues, Addiction Issues, Adolescent Issues, Aging, Alcoholism, Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety Disorders, Assertiveness, Attention Deficit Disorders, Behavior Disorders, Bereavement, Bipolar Disorder, Borderline Personality, Bulimia, Burn Victims, Cancer, Career Issues, Caregivers' Issues, Chemical Dependency, Childhood Sexual Abuse Victims, Chronic Fatigue, Chronic Pain, Chronic Physical Illness, Co-Dependency, Compulsive Debting, Compulsive Gambling, Compulsive Overeating, Compulsive Spending, Couples' Issues, Depression, Disability Issues, Divorce, Domestic Violence Victims, Eating Disorders, Family Systems, Fibromyalgia, Gender Issues, Grief, HIV Issues, Headaches, Hyperactivity, Hypertension, Identity Issues, Infertility Issues, Insomnia, Life Management Issues, Low Self-Esteem, Men's Issues, Midlife Issues, Neurological Disorders, Nicotine Addiction, Obesity, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders, Organizational Issues, PTSD, Pain, Panic Attacks, Panic Disorders, Parenting Issues, Peak Performance, Performance Enhancement, Perinatal Loss, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Physical Disability, Physical Injury, Post-Partum Depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders, Procrastination, Psychosomatic Syndrome, Relationship Issues, Seniors' Issues, Sexual Assault Victims, Sleep Disorders, Stress, Substance Abuse, Suicidal Ideation, Unplanned Pregnancy, Vocational Issues, Weight Loss, Weight Management and Women's Issues.

Treatment Modalities

Valerie provides 12-Step Programs, Art Therapy, Career Counseling, Child Advocacy, Client-Centered Psychotherapy, Coaching, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, Existential Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Goal-Oriented Therapy, Guided Imagery, Individual Psychotherapy, Marriage Counseling, Parent Training and Psychodynamic Therapy. She works with Adolescents, Adults, Couples, Families and Seniors.

Non-English Languages Spoken

Valerie is fluent in Spanish