Couples Therapy    New York

Couples Therapy
in New York

Support to help you reconnect, communicate, and move forward — online across NY or in-person in Clinton, NY.

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15+
Years Experience
Working with couples at all stages of a relationship.
Licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years in individual and couples therapy.
2
Ways to Meet
In-person in Clinton, NY — or online, anywhere in New York State.
Sessions available in Clinton, NY and virtually across New York — whatever fits your routine.
Flexible Scheduling
Daytime availability designed to fit into your life without adding more stress.
Scheduling that works with real life — not a months-long waitlist or a single rigid time slot.
Both Voices
Collaborative Process
Both partners supported, heard, and challenged when needed.
This isn't about taking sides. Both perspectives matter, and both of you are part of the process.

About the work

Therapy That Helps
You Find Your Way
Back to Each Other

At Valerie Lighthall LCSW Counseling Services, couples therapy is designed to help you understand each other more clearly, work through challenges, and rebuild connection in a way that feels real and sustainable. With over 15 years of experience, Valerie works with couples at all stages, whether you are feeling stuck, disconnected, or simply trying to navigate a difficult season together.

Sessions are available virtually across New York State, with daytime availability that can fit into your routine without adding more stress to your schedule.

The goal is to help you move forward with more clarity, stronger communication, and a relationship that feels more aligned.

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15+
Years of Experience

Recognizing the signs

When You're Not
Feeling Like a
Team Anymore

You might still care about each other, but something feels harder than it used to. Maybe small things turn into bigger arguments. Maybe you avoid certain conversations because they never go well. Or maybe the connection just doesn't feel the same. You may notice:

  • Conversations that quickly turn into frustration or shutdown
  • Emotional distance, even when you're spending time together
  • Feeling like you're not on the same page anymore
  • Miscommunication that leads to hurt or resentment

You do not need to wait until things get worse or have everything figured out before reaching out. Therapy can help you make sense of what you are feeling and start creating change.

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You don't have to agree on everything to feel like a team again.

Valerie Lighthall, LCSW

The approach

A More Real,
Collaborative Approach
to Couples Therapy

Couples therapy here is not about taking sides or assigning blame. It is a collaborative process where both partners are supported in being heard, understood, and challenged when needed. You are both part of the process, and both perspectives matter.

01
Honest, direct conversations that do not sugarcoat things
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What this means

Sessions won't dance around what needs to be said. Both of you get honest, direct feedback, even when it's uncomfortable, because that's often where the real movement happens.

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02
A supportive space that still holds you accountable
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What this means

This isn't about picking a side or letting patterns slide. Support and accountability apply to both of you, so change actually sticks instead of repeating the same cycle.

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03
A therapist who shows up as a real person, not just a title
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What this means

You won't get a rehearsed script. Valerie brings genuine presence and reacts honestly in sessions — the same way she'd want support to feel if she were in your seat.

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You do not need all the answers.
You just need a place to start.

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Private Pay Practice

Logistics

Flexible Support,
Without the Extra Hassle

Starting therapy should not feel complicated. From online scheduling to a simple client portal, everything is designed to be straightforward so you can focus on your well-being.

Virtual & In Person Teens & Adults in NY Private Pay
  • Available virtually across all of New York State
  • Daytime appointments available
  • Simple, secure video platform — no downloads required
  • Consistent weekly scheduling so it becomes part of your routine
  • In-person sessions held in Clinton, NY
  • Daytime availability — adding to your schedule, not disrupting it
  • A warm, private office space designed for comfort
  • Easy to add to your schedule without adding stress to your day
  • In-person (Clinton, NY) & Virtual (NY State) — $175/session
  • Sliding scale available — reach out to discuss
  • Payment due at time of session — credit card, HSA/FSA accepted

Choosing not to work with insurance companies is a deliberate decision — one that protects you as much as it protects the quality of our work together.

  • You don't have to receive a mental health diagnosis to begin therapy.
  • Session notes stay between us — they won't be shared with your insurance company.
  • No outside party gets to decide how often we meet, how long we work together, or whether your reasons for coming are valid enough.
  • A smaller caseload means more attention, more flexibility, and more personalized care — not a number in a system.
  • Insurance reimbursement rates for private practice therapists are low and don't reflect experience or training — private pay keeps this work sustainable and focused on you.

You Don't Have to Keep Going in Circles.You do not need to have all the answers before starting. Couples therapy can help you change together.

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The first step

Getting Started Is Simple

1

Reach Out

Fill out the contact form or send a message — no pressure, just a starting point.

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You'll hear back within a couple of business days to set up a free 15-minute consultation call.
2

Quick Consultation

A short call to talk about what's going on and see if it feels like a good fit.

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This is a low-pressure conversation — there's no obligation to continue if it's not the right fit for either of you.
3

Begin Sessions

Schedule your first appointment — virtual or in-person in Clinton, NY.

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From here, sessions are scheduled weekly or biweekly, at a consistent day and time that works with your routine.
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Prefer to skip the form? Book a session directly.

Common questions

Getting Started
Is Simple

Send a message describing what brings you in. Valerie will follow up to schedule a free consultation call.

This is a private pay practice. A receipt can be provided for you to submit to your insurance for possible out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan.

Both. Virtual sessions are available anywhere in New York State, and in-person sessions are held in Clinton, NY.

Couples at all stages — whether you're feeling stuck, disconnected, or simply navigating a difficult season together.