About Valerie Cole

My basic view of life is optimistic. I believe we are presented with series of lessons and experiences that make us who we are and teach us strength and resilience. If we are fortunate enough to be blessed with supportive family environments as children, we may find that it is easier to move through the difficult times. Yet even if our early years held pain and disappointment, we can find joy and satisfaction as adults by making new choices and learning new behaviors. We have the power to grow and change. My work is focused on assisting individuals to tap into their innate strength and wisdom in order to grow toward fulfillment and happiness.

During my years at California State University at Northridge, I worked with couples and individuals in relationship-oriented therapies, including being involved in sex therapy cases as a behavioral modification assistant. At the University of Iowa and in my clinical internship, I focused on post-traumatic stress disorder in veterans. I continued my interest in relationships in my dissertation on social support and attachment processes.

I joined the psychology department at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York in 1996. I taught a variety of courses related to psychology, counseling, and research at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In 1999, I obtained my clinical license from the State of New York, and maintained a limited private practice with adults and couples. I resigned in 2005 as a tenured associate professor to expand my private practice.

In 1999, building on my interest in the effects of trauma, I began volunteering with the Greater Rochester chapter of the American Red Cross as a disaster mental health volunteer. Since then, I have volunteered during several large natural disasters, including an assignment in Louisiana in 2005. I currently coordinate the New York State disaster mental health effort and teach disaster mental health trainings.

NY State License 013748-1

• APA-Accredited Clinical Internship
• • Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic
• Ph.D., University of Iowa
• • Clinical-Social Psychology
• M.A., California State University, Northridge
• • Experimental Psychology
• B.A., California State University, Northridge
• • Psychology Major
  • Human Sexuality Minor

Professional memberships and activities:

• State Lead, Disaster Mental Health, New York State
      American Red Cross
• Genesee Valley Psychological Association
• New York State Psychological Association
• American Psychological Association