Valerie Williams, LPC
Valerie Williams, LPC, is a compassionate and dedicated mental health professional whose career has been defined by service, advocacy, and a deep commitment to emotional wellness. A native of Monroe, Louisiana, Valerie developed her passion for counseling through early experiences rooted in community involvement, faith, and family influence. Inspired by her late mother, Dr. LaWanna Gunn-Williams, a Psychology professor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Valerie embraced a calling to help individuals and families overcome emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges through empathy, education, and evidence-based care.
Valerie pursued her academic journey with a strong focus on psychology and counseling. She earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Master of Social Science with a concentration in Psychology from Grambling State University before completing her Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Alcorn State University in 2023. Her educational background provided a solid clinical foundation that continues to guide her work in counseling, crisis intervention, substance abuse treatment, and behavioral health leadership.
Before transitioning into counseling full-time, Valerie gained valuable experience through youth development and caregiving roles, including work as a camp counselor and personal care provider. These early positions strengthened her nurturing spirit, leadership abilities, and commitment to supporting vulnerable populations. Over the years, she has built extensive experience in individual, family, and group therapy, case management, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary collaboration within both outpatient and residential treatment settings.
Currently, Valerie serves as a Licensed Professional Counselor with House of Ruth Therapeutic Group Home and Senior PsychCare, where she provides therapeutic counseling services, crisis intervention, clinical assessments, and individualized treatment planning for clients facing mental health and substance abuse challenges. Her previous professional roles include serving as Professional Counselor 3 for the State of Louisiana, Team Lead at Living Water Family Services, Mental Health Professional at Northeast Counseling, and Substance Abuse Counselor at Center for Behavioral Health. Throughout her career, Valerie has demonstrated strong leadership in supervising teams, mentoring staff, coordinating care, and advocating for ethical, client-centered treatment practices.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Valerie remains actively involved in advocacy and community outreach initiatives, including participation with Louisiana Citizen for Action Now (LaCAN), SHE WINGS (Sisters Healing Each Other – Women IN God’s Service), and several honor societies. Guided by faith, compassion, and a vision for global impact, she is committed to empowering individuals and communities through counseling, education, and mental health awareness. Valerie’s mission is to create safe and healing environments where people feel supported, valued, and encouraged to achieve resilience, emotional wellness, and long-term recovery.
• Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Grambling State University
• Master's in Social Science with a concentration in Psychology
• Master's in Secondary Education and Clinical Mental Health from Alcorn State University
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Sigma Alpha Phi Honor Society
• Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society
• Louisiana Citizen for Action Now (LaCAN) Advocate
• SHE WINGS (Sisters Healing Each Other – Women IN God’s Service)
• Sigma Alpha Phi Honor Society
• Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society
• Community mental health advocacy through LaCAN
• Women’s support and faith-based empowerment initiatives through SHE WINGS
• Advocacy for mental health awareness and emotional wellness
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Geriatric Care
- Depression
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Social Anxiety
- Adjustment Disorders
- Grief Counseling
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
As a counselor, the most rewarding parts of the work usually come down to a few meaningful experiences. Here are some of the things many counselors enjoy most:
1. Seeing real growth in people
Watching someone gradually gain insight, confidence, or healthier coping skills is incredibly fulfilling. When a client starts handling situations that once felt impossible, it’s a powerful moment.
2. Building genuine human connections
Counseling creates space for deep, authentic conversations. Many counselors value the trust that develops when someone feels safe enough to share their true thoughts and emotions.
3. Helping people find their own solutions
Rather than giving answers, counselors often guide people to discover their own strengths and perspectives. Seeing someone realize “I can handle this” can be very rewarding.
4. Being part of meaningful change
Whether it's improving relationships, managing anxiety, or processing trauma, counselors get to support people during important turning points in their lives.
5. Continual learning about people and the mind
Every client is different. Counselors often enjoy constantly learning about psychology, human behavior, culture, and new therapeutic approaches.
6. Making a positive impact
Knowing that your presence and skills can genuinely improve someone’s well-being gives the work a strong sense of purpose.