Valerie Keller Gates, LPC

Valerie Keller Gates is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) based in Oklahoma who works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, parenting challenges, and life transitions. She focuses on practical steps people can use right away and listens for what matters most to each person. She aims to create a straightforward space where clients can talk honestly and begin to sort through their concerns.

Valerie received a Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Gerontology from Southern Nazarene University and a Master of Human Relations with an emphasis in Licensed Professional Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. Over seven years she has worked with individuals, families, and groups, including people dealing with mood disorders, addiction with dual diagnosis, and behavioral concerns.

Her counseling style adapts to the person in the room, with an emphasis on client-centered care. She often uses cognitive-behavioral techniques to help people change unhelpful thinking and behavior. She also draws on narrative and mindfulness approaches to help clients reframe stories about themselves and manage stressful moments.

Sessions tend to be transparent and direct, guided by respect and compassion. Valerie collaborates with each person to set goals and build a plan that fits their life and needs. She encourages clients to notice progress, even when change is gradual.

Valerie has experience addressing issues such as bipolar disorder, ADHD, intimacy concerns, blended family problems, codependency, infidelity, veteran and armed forces issues, multicultural concerns, OCD, and financial stress. Her work is practical and person-focused, with plans tailored to each client’s situation.

How Valerie’s approaches translate to online work

Client-centered therapy focuses on listening and following the client's lead. The therapist creates space for people to say what matters most and helps them set goals based on their needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and behaviors interact and teaches practical skills to reduce anxiety, manage mood, and handle stressful situations. EMDR, or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, aims to help people process distressing memories and reduce their emotional impact through structured sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Valerie will collaborate with each client to decide which methods fit their goals, preferences, and the challenges they bring. She adjusts plans over time, combining techniques when that helps move progress forward.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking since the biography does not list specific formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid travel time. Licensed professionals can deliver CBT skills, client-centered counseling, and guided EMDR-informed work in remote formats, with the therapist and client choosing the best approach for their situation.