Valerie McLaughlin, B.S.

Valerie is currently completing her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, where her training is focused on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for children and adolescents. During her undergraduate career at Saint Joseph’s University, where she studied psychology and art, she diversified her passion for social justice, experiential healing, and working with young people by serving as a peer mentor for college students on the autism spectrum, visual artist, and a small group facilitator for various social justice, service, and spirituality-oriented programs. 

 

Valerie’s professional background includes several years working with neurodivergent young people of all ages and support levels. Most recently, she has served as a school-based Registered Behavior Technician. In this position Valerie has found new depths to her love of working with children and teens, as she walks with them in their academic, developmental, and mental health journeys with an intentionally holistic approach. 

 

Valerie is thrilled to be joining the Growth Minded team for her clinical internship, as she embodies whole-person, adaptive, and strengths-based care for each client she encounters. Beyond CBT, Valerie seeks to incorporate elements of reality therapy, choice theory, and schema therapy as she continues her clinical career. 

 

Valerie brings energy, creativity, and authentic empathy to the therapeutic process. Her clinical approach is grounded in her commitment to collaboratively supporting young people as they become  the best version of themselves.