Despite training in CBT, DBT, ACT, Solution Focused Therapy, and Narrative Therapy, Valerie provides a strengths-based approach to the individuals she supports. Valerie is also a Child and Youth Worker with the Waterloo School Board assisting children and youth with various challenges.Throughout Valerie’s work experiences and internships, she has served populations with neurological and psychological challenges, as well as emotional, behavioural, substance abuse, and developmental challenges. She has conducted case management with case loads ranging from 40-60 client files at KW Counselling, YMCA Immigrant & Employment Services, and the John Howard Society. With each client file, she takes an individualized approach and develops the appropriate assessment and intervention plan. Further, she facilitated the Youth Job Connection program at both the YMCA and the John Howard for at-risk youth. At KW Counselling, she was responsible for intake at the walk-in clinic and co-facilitating the ‘Temper Taming Together’ program. One of Kitchener’s busiest walk-in clinic’s, KW Counselling serves 60-90 individuals, couples and families every Thursday.Valerie also worked for Fairmont Hotels & Resorts for eight years. During her tenure with Fairmont, she held a Customer Service Leader role at the international call center in Moncton, New Brunswick for three years. She was responsible for the information technology of over 100 hotels, overseeing the productivity of over 100 sales agents, and collaborating with a supervisory and executive team in a 24/7 operation environment. Valerie worked in Whistler, British Columbia at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler holding various front of house and back of house roles which included junior server, banquet server, housekeeping, fine dining maitre'd, hotel operator, and reservation sales. She was awarded Employee of the Year in 2005.