Individual Therapy  Â·  New York

Individual Therapy
in New York

Support that meets you where you are — online across NY or in-person in Clinton, NY.

15+
Years experience
Working with teens and adults navigating life's harder seasons.
Licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years in individual therapy — teens, adults, and everything in between.
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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 schedule and life.
Flexible scheduling
Daytime availability designed to fit into your routine, not the other way around.
Scheduling that works with real life — not a months-long waitlist or a single rigid time slot.
For you
Tailored approach
Therapy built around what you're actually dealing with — no rigid formula.
No intake forms that make you feel like a checkbox. Sessions are shaped by your goals, your pace, and what you actually need.

About the work

Therapy That Meets
You Where You Are

At Valerie Lighthall LCSW Counseling Services, therapy is built around real life. With over 15 years of experience, Valerie offers individual counseling for teens and adults who are ready for something to shift — even if they're not sure what that looks like just yet.

Sessions are available virtually across New York State — flexible scheduling that fits your life, no commute required.
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15+
Years of experience

Recognizing the signs

When Things Feel Off,
Even If You Can't
Explain Why

You might not have a clear reason for why you are struggling - just a sense that something feels off. Maybe you are overwhelmed, stuck in your head, or going through the motions without feeling like yourself. Tap any of the below to learn more.

  • You may feel restless An underlying sense of unease that you can't quite place - edgy, irritable, or like something is always slightly wrong.
  • Low motivation or no energy Getting through the day feels like more effort than it should - even things you used to enjoy feel flat or far away.
  • Difficulty focusing or feeling present Your mind wanders constantly, or you feel disconnected from your own life - like you are watching it from a distance.
  • Difficulty in relationships or at work Conflict feels harder to navigate, or you are withdrawing - from people, from responsibilities, from things that used to matter.
  • Something planning to process A transition, a loss, a relationship - you don't need to be in crisis to benefit from having a space to work through it.
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Valerie's photo here

You do not need to wait until things get worse to get support.

Valerie Lighthall, LCSW

The approach

A More Real,
Collaborative Approach
to Therapy

Therapy here is a collaborative process where you are actively involved and your voice matters. Valerie believes you are the expert on your own life — her role is to support you, challenge you when needed, and help you connect the dots in a way that leads to real progress.

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Serious about change, not just managing symptoms
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What this means

Sessions go beyond coping strategies. The goal is to understand what is keeping you stuck and to make shifts that carry beyond the therapy hour — into your relationships, your work, and how you feel day to day.

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A space for depression, anxiety, and the in-between
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What this means

Whether you are navigating a specific diagnosis or just a persistent sense that something is off, this is a place to bring all of it. You don't need a crisis to start. You just need to be ready for something to change.

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We believe you are capable of profound change
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What this means

In sessions, you can expect Valerie to challenge you when she thinks you're capable of more, provide honest and direct feedback, and help you create change in a meaningful way. Progress here is real, not just reported.

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

Book a Free Consultation
Office or Valerie photo here
Private Pay Practice

Logistics

Flexible Support.
Without the Extra Hassle.

Putting therapy first shouldn't mean adding one more complicated thing to your day. Scheduling is straightforward, sessions are available to fit your life, and billing is simple and transparent.

  • 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
  • Glens Falls, NY - $175/session
  • Virtual, NY - $165/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.
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The first step

Getting Started Is Simple

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Reach Out

Send a message or fill out the contact form - no pressure, just a starting point.

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You'll hear back within a couple of business days. Not sure if it's the right fit? A free 15-minute consultation call is always an option.
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Schedule

Book a free consultation call, or schedule your first session directly if you're ready.

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Ready to go? You can book a session directly at any time. Prefer to talk first? A free 15-minute call is a low-pressure way to start.
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Begin Sessions

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

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Sessions are scheduled weekly or biweekly, at a consistent day and time that fits your routine.

Common questions

Things You Might
Be Wondering

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.

Teens and adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and the harder-to-name moments when something just feels off.