Valerie Kreider, Ph.D., PCCs, LICDC

Welcome to Firebird Counseling, LLC

How is counseling different from other types of therapy? Counseling comes from a different philosophy than does psychology or social work. Counseling works from a wellness perspective that emphasizes developmental work and prevention efforts. Counseling is extremely helpful in identifying difficult life areas, and ways to heal those issues. Counseling will also provide a “wellness” environment where the client can grow to their full potential. A wise mentor of mine once said to me, “There is life beyond survival”, and he was right. Fixing what is not right in our lives is important, but it is best to move beyond survival - to living fully and choicefully in all we do. My work is to help those who enter my office to find that path.

Counseling also takes a developmental perspective. We all are moving through a developmental process. Our children move through developmental stages - each stage is marked by tasks the child masters in order to move onto the next, until they are able to negotiate the obstacles and joys that adulthood brings. We do not, however, stop going through developmental stages simply because we have reached adulthood. We may move through many stages - learning how to manage independence as a young adult, relationships, occupational issues, career changes, parenting, marriage, divorce, retirement, grown children leaving home, stress, and the list goes on. The counseling philosophy centers on helping individuals move through the developmental challenges life presents us, and mastering the tasks of living.

Finally, counseling works to help clients to prevent further life difficulties from emerging. It is my job to work myself out of a job. My concentration will be to help my clients learn to find the answer to their current issues by developing ways of thinking and behaving that will answer future issues as well.

Because confidentiality is important, I keep contact with insurance companies to a minimum. I will be happy to help you send in claim forms for reimbursement. Payment by Visa, MasterCard, and Discover is accepted.

I look forward to working with you.