LMHC
Valerie Johnson-Cardoso, LMHC
- Experience30 years
- LocationFlorida
- Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Addictions, and LGBT
- Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Review online therapy options and next steps on BetterHelp.
About Valerie
Valerie Johnson-Cardoso is a Florida-based licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with 30 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, grief, relationship struggles, trauma, and a wide range of emotional and life challenges.
Background and approach
She draws on a long career that includes residential mental health and substance abuse work, a independent practice, and sixteen years as a teacher for students with learning differences, autism, and developmental delays. Valerie has worked with clients across the lifespan and has particular familiarity with faith transitions and religious trauma concerns.
Her style emphasizes collaboration and practical skill-building, recognizing that different approaches suit different people. Valerie aims to help clients reduce self-criticism, learn coping strategies, and make gradual changes that increase calm and well-being.
She focuses on building trust and offering a nonjudgmental space where feelings can be explored openly. Her background in education and residential settings informs a flexible approach tailored to each person’s needs and life circumstances.
Integrating evidence-based approaches for online care
Valerie commonly uses Internal Family Systems to help people explore internal parts that hold feelings, beliefs, or protective patterns, which can be useful for work on trauma, self-criticism, and complex emotional reactions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) supports clients in clarifying values and building mindful actions that align with what matters, often helping with anxiety, stress, and coping with life changes. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes an empathic, nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship in which the therapist listens deeply and supports the client’s own growth and self-understanding.Deciding on the best approach is a collaborative process. Valerie will work with clients to identify goals, try techniques, and adjust methods as therapy progresses so the work fits personal needs and preferences rather than applying a single method rigidly.
Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for varied schedules and situations. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice skills between sessions, and access support from different locations while tailoring the format to what feels most helpful for the individual.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Valerie commonly address?
Valerie works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, eating and body image issues, parenting challenges, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue. Additional focus areas include abandonment, attachment issues, caregiver stress, and other co-occurring difficulties.
What therapeutic approaches does she use in sessions?
She integrates methods such as Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to suit a client’s needs. The approach is tailored so interventions match each person’s situation and goals.
How much experience does she bring to practice?
Valerie has three decades of clinical experience that include work in residential mental health and substance abuse settings as well as a long-standing independent practice. Her earlier career as a special education teacher also informs her therapeutic work.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She is a licensed mental health counselor with the credential FL LMHC MH5690 and practices in Florida. These details reflect her professional licensure and practice location.
Does she work with non-English speakers or international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she does accept international clients. Prospective clients should consider language needs when scheduling.
In what session formats is therapy available?
Therapy is available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Multiple formats allow clients to choose the communication style that fits their life and comfort level.
How is cost and payment handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. Pricing details depend on those factors and scheduling choices.
What steps are involved in beginning therapy?
To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability. This process connects clients to Valerie and helps plan initial appointments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)Divorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyHypnotherapyImago Relationship TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems
Experience
30+ years
Licensed
Florida
Languages
English