Today we’d like to introduce you to Valarie J Golombeski.
Hi Valarie J, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
From an early age, I found myself naturally drawn to listening and supporting others. In my teenage years this looked like checking on people I didn’t know if they seemed upset despite the fact that, in general, I was a very shy person. I was willing to take myself out of my comfort zone if it meant that a person did not have to navigate heavy emotional moments alone. Being a safe and steady presence for others felt instinctive to me then, and this same instinct continues to guide me in my work today.
When I joined the military in 2017 at the age of 22, I again found that I deeply cared to support others in times of intense stress or uncertainty. As a young girl, I always thought I would become a psychologist in the military and I was not too far off from the career I would ultimately choose. Today, I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, supporting individuals who have experienced trauma across various stages of life.
Throughout my career, I have worked with children and adults, active-duty service members, veterans, mothers, fathers, college-aged students navigating early adulthood, and members of our community from all walks of life. In 2023, I opened my private practice, Our Generation Counseling. I chose this name because I believe that both the generations that come before us, and the path we choose for our future ahead, play a part in shaping our experiences, perspectives, and challenges. By understanding both our past and our present, we can intentionally carry forward what serves us and build a future that reflects growth, resilience, and healing.
Growing up on the South Side of San Antonio, conversations around mental health were often limited or dismissed. This experience deeply influenced my passion for normalizing mental health care and challenging the idea that acknowledging emotional struggles is a sign of weakness. I believe that when individuals recognize areas where they need support, they gain access to tools and skills that foster confidence, self-awareness, and meaningful change. Encouraging open dialogue and help-seeking not only supports the individual, but also strengthens families and communities—ensuring that no one has to face life’s more difficult moments in isolation.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I cannot say arriving to where I am today has been a smooth road. Between the ages of 18 and 20, I navigated significant personal challenges, including becoming a mother at 20 years old.
At 22, I completed my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology—just one week before leaving for Basic Military Training. That milestone would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my parents, for which I am deeply grateful.
At 23, I began pursuing my Master’s degree while married, pregnant with my second child, and continuing my service in the Air National Guard. Much of that period felt like a constant balancing act between family, education, and military responsibilities. I ultimately completed my Master’s degree in 2022 after persevering through additional challenges. By the time I graduated, I was raising three young children—ages seven, three, and two.
During this time, my husband was serving on active duty and deployed shortly after we relocated to an area where we did not have nearby support from friends or family. I really see where I am today as a testament to the strength and resilience of mothers. This does not mean goals are reached overnight and it does take a lot of carving out your path one small step at a time. I think when we really want something and when we don’t allow life’s distractions to deter us from our course, we absolutely are capable of achieving whatever we set out to accomplish.
We’ve been impressed with Our Generation Counseling, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Our Generation Counseling is my private practice where I provide mental health therapy to individuals navigating the lasting effects of trauma and anxiety. My work is grounded in a belief that healing does not have to require reliving pain in order to move forward. Much of my clinical focus is centered on helping clients regain a sense of safety, clarity, and control after experiences that have felt overwhelming or destabilizing.
In addition to my Master’s-level training, I have pursued advanced education as a Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.) practitioner. A.R.T. is one of my preferred approaches to helping clients process trauma. Often times when processing trauma, it can be painful or even retraumatizing to recount a traumatic event. Through the use of bilateral stimulation, A.R.T. supports the brain in replacing distressing images with more adaptive ones, often in a way that feels calming, contained, and empowering for the client.
I do not accept insurance at this time. This decision was made intentionally, after witnessing the significant barriers that both clients and therapists often encounter when navigating insurance systems during periods of emotional vulnerability. By offering private-pay services, clients are able to begin therapy within a short timeframe, understand costs clearly from the outset, and engage in treatment without additional administrative stress. This model also allows me to devote more of my time, attention, and clinical energy directly to client care—where it belongs.
At its core, my work is about accessibility, integrity, and providing thoughtful, effective care that meets clients where they are. My goal is to create a therapeutic space that feels safe, collaborative, and focused on meaningful, lasting healing.
What matters most to you?
Part of what matters most to me is closely aligned with what has mattered to me since I was a young girl, and that is being a listener. Throughout my work, I have met many clients who have rarely felt truly heard or validated in their lives. Having the opportunity to offer presence, understanding, and hope during some of their most difficult moments is deeply meaningful to me.
It is incredibly fulfilling to know that I am doing work that aligns with my sense of purpose—using my skills to bring light, clarity, and compassion into spaces that often feel heavy or overwhelming. While I may not change the world in sweeping or dramatic ways, I have witnessed firsthand the powerful, life-changing impact that therapy can have for an individual. I have always been someone who just wants to put good into the world in any way that I can. My career has given me a chance to do exactly that.
Pricing:
- My rate for 50 minute therapy sessions is $100.
- I have always offered reduced rate sessions upon request as low as $50 per session.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://OurGenerationCounseling.com
Image Credits
Picture of Valarie J Golombeski with mountains in the background taken by Jas Sanchez. (2026)
Picture of Valarie J Golombeski during volunteer work taken by Narciso Matthew Gonzales Bernardo. (2012)
