Therapy for Life Transitions New York
Therapy for Life
Transitions in New York
Support for when life shifts beneath your feet. Online across NY or in-person in Clinton, NY.
About the work
Change Is Hard,
Even If It Might
Be the Right Kind
At Valerie Lighthall LCSW Counseling Services, therapy for life transitions is a space to process change without having to figure it all out on your own. With over 15 years of experience, Valerie works with teens and adults who are navigating major shifts in their lives and need support finding their footing again, even if they cannot quite name what feels off yet.
Recognizing the signs
When Everything
Is Changing
at Once
Life transitions can feel exciting and terrifying at the same time. Whether the change was chosen or not, it can shake your sense of identity, routine, and direction in ways that are hard to explain to the people around you. You may be navigating:
-
Starting or finishing college and not knowing what comes next
-
A move, a breakup, a divorce, or a shift in a major relationship
-
A new job, career change, or the loss of one
-
Becoming a parent or adjusting to a new stage of parenthood
You do not need to be in crisis to deserve support. Therapy can help you process what is shifting, reconnect with what matters to you, and move forward with more clarity and confidence.
Learn MoreYou don't have to have it figured out to start moving forward.
Valerie Lighthall, LCSWThe approach
A Steady,
Collaborative Approach
to Change
Change doesn't come with a manual, and neither does this work. It is a collaborative process where you are actively involved, and your voice matters.
Sessions won't dance around what needs to be said. Expect honest, direct feedback, even when it's hard to hear, because that's often where real movement starts.
This isn't just a space to talk in circles about the change. Support and accountability work together here, so you can actually move toward what's next.
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.
You do not need all the answers.
You just need a place to start.
Logistics
Flexible Support,
Without the Extra Hassle
Starting therapy should not feel like another overwhelming decision. From online scheduling to a simple client portal, everything is designed to be straightforward so you can focus on what you are going through. If you have been thinking about getting support during this season of change, this is a good place to start.
- 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.
The first step
Getting Started Is Simple
Reach Out
Fill out the contact form or send a message — no pressure, just a starting point.
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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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Begin Sessions
Schedule your first appointment — virtual or in-person in Clinton, NY.
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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.
Teens and adults navigating major life transitions — whether chosen or not, and whether or not they can quite name what feels off yet.