About

Traci Valentine, M.Ed., LMFT

Image of Tracy

As Heraclitus stated “No [wo]man ever steps into the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and [s]he’s not the same [wo]man.”

I provide a warm and supportive atmosphere where you can express your feelings, communicate your problems, and feel understood. It is my core belief that everyone should be accepted for who they are. I emphasize that when you are living in a secure state of mind you will be able to locate solutions to any problem encountered.  I recognize and encourage everyone to understand their innate potential for growth and change.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship must be based on mutual respect, trust and honesty. I convey that the entire world is based on thoughts, beliefs and perceptions at that particular time in history, and I will provide hope by assuring you that this perception of reality changes with time and circumstance.  There may be times when you need to borrow my hope to gain confidence.

As your therapist, my role is not to judge, force change or my opinions, but to provide options, ideas and a safe space for you to grow and learn how to speak their truth in a respectful and assertive way. My direct approach can help you learn how to speak aloud about their concerns, identity, frustrations, hopes and dreams, as this is how change occurs.

My philosophy is similar to Jean-Paul Sartre, who stated “No matter what we have been, we can make choices now and thus become something quite different. But we have to choose to become committed: This is the responsibility that is the other side of freedom.”

By working together, it is our individual and combined strengths that will help us overcome pain and shame. The past is important because it shows us how what happened before has contributed to our current identity. The future is important because it gives us hope for what lies ahead. The focus of our therapy will be concentrated on the present because it is only in the here and now that change can take place.

I have experience working with the issues of grief and loss, positive parenting, empowerment, identity and sexual issues that may interfere and contribute to disturbances in relationships. My philosophy of therapy incorporates Health Realization, Solution Focused, Meta-Cognitive, and Narrative Therapy to create openings and generate conversation for stories to be told and solutions to be found. I also utilize family of origin genograms, role-playing, and psychoeducation into therapy sessions.

The therapeutic process can be challenging and at times uncomfortable, but I will walk this journey with you. As a dedicated and diligent therapist, I will ask you the hard questions, listen intently and explore perspectives. I hope that you will reach out and contact me when you are ready to venture into this wonderful new place.

Degrees & Certification
Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy, Argosy University-TC

Master of Arts in Education, Saint Mary’s University

Minnesota Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (MAMFT), clinical member

Qualified Supervisor Professional (QSP)

Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention Qualified (EIDBI)

Comprehensive Multi-disciplinary Evaluation Certified (CMDE)

Chemical Use Assessment Rule 25 criteria – certification

PREPARE/ENRICH -certification

You can find out more about me on Psychology Today.