About Dr. Valerie Ward
Clientele seen
Adults (25-64)
Seniors (65+)
Individuals
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Culturally Sensitive
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Emotionally Focused
Compassion Focused
Exposure Response Prevention
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Dr. Valerie Ward
I'm a clinical psychologist based in the DC-metro area, offering online telehealth services to adults across the United States. I hold a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from Old Dominion University, a Master's in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University, and a Bachelor's degree from James Madison University. I also completed my pre-doctoral internship at Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS).
At the heart of my work is a deep passion for providing affirmative, values-based therapy. I support clients in discovering what truly matters to them, increasing self-awareness, setting and maintaining healthy boundaries, and building resilience in the face of life’s transitions and challenges. I bring authenticity and compassion to the therapy space—and I wholeheartedly believe that healing and growth can happen alongside moments of humor. I’m also not afraid to gently challenge my clients when it serves their growth.
People come to me with a wide range of concerns, and I am continually honored by the trust they place in me. It’s a privilege to walk alongside them on their journey toward greater clarity, confidence, and well-being.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Clients who work with me often develop a deeper understanding of their emotional triggers, learn to navigate life’s setbacks with greater resilience, manage stress in healthier ways, communicate more effectively, and establish and maintain meaningful boundaries.
Our work begins by getting to know you—not just the challenges that brought you to therapy, but the whole of who you are. I take the time to understand your unique goals, and together we create a collaborative path forward. This includes focusing on what can be changed, while also building tools to cope with situations or relationships that may be outside of our control.
I’m deeply committed to creating a space where all aspects of your identity are welcomed and affirmed. You deserve to feel safe, seen, and heard—without fear of judgment or invalidation. I bring an awareness of my own areas of privilege and marginalization, and I work intentionally with clients who are exploring their intersecting identities, including how these may impact their lived experience.
My clinical training has taken me across a wide range of settings—from veteran and military hospitals, to integrated care teams in civilian medical centers, to inpatient psychiatric units, public schools, and private practice. This breadth of experience allows me to bring a flexible, informed approach to the care I provide.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
We’ll start with two hour-long intake sessions, typically held over two consecutive weeks. These initial sessions give us time to explore your background, current concerns, and goals for therapy in depth. After that, I’ll share my initial clinical impressions and, if appropriate, a working diagnosis to help guide our work together.
From there, we’ll meet on a weekly basis. The length of our work varies from person to person—some clients find that a few weeks of focused support is enough, while others benefit from ongoing therapy over a longer period of time. My approach is always tailored to your individual needs and pace.
Dr. Valerie Ward is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Old Dominion University, PsyD in Clinical Psychology
- Webster University, Master's in Mental Health Counseling
- James Madison University (Bachelor's)
- Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) (Pre-Doctoral Internship)
Professional memberships
- American Psychological Association
NPI number
1255845434
How soon can I make an appointment with Dr. Valerie Ward?
Generally, Dr. Valerie Ward has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Dr. Ward's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Dr. Valerie Ward accepting new patients?
Dr. Valerie Ward generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Dr. Ward's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Dr. Valerie Ward accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Dr. Ward is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Dr. Valerie Ward online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Dr. Ward using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Dr. Valerie Ward work with?
What are common reasons for patients to see Dr. Valerie Ward?
Dr. Valerie Ward frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Dr. Valerie Ward on their profile.
What languages does Dr. Valerie Ward speak?
Dr. Valerie Ward speaks English.