Valerie Hoover, PhD

ABOUT DR. HOOVER Hello! I am an adjunct clinical faculty member at Stanford University, School of Medicine and a licensed clinical psychologist in California. I will help you build insight into the issue bringing you to therapy and develop tools to address the root of the issue and improve functioning in your daily life. I have expertise in treating a range of issues (see "Specialties" and "Focus Areas" below). However, the heart of my practice can be summed up as follows: I help clients to become "unstuck" from the cycles of painful thoughts, emotions and behaviors that prevent them from participating whole-heartedly in life. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHOLOGIST AND A PSYCHIATRIST? Psychologists have a PhD degree and provide psychotherapy (or "therapy" for short), and psychiatrists have a MD degree and can prescribe medication. I am a psychologist. WHAT TO EXPECT IN THERAPY INITIAL ASSESSMENT: In the initial 1 to 2 sessions I'll conduct a comprehensive assessment, which includes gathering information about the specific issue that brings you to therapy, as well as more general background information. You are free to not answer any questions that you choose, but in general the more information I have, the more I can be of help. TREATMENT: After the initial assessment is complete, I will provide feedback and treatment recommendations/options for moving forward. Recommendations may include therapy (either with me, or referral to another therapist if I determine that the issue is outside my scope of practice), referral for medication evaluation (typically to a psychiatrist or your primary care provider), and/or connection to other resources/supports. TRACKING PROGRESS: During your initial assessment, and periodically throughout treatment, I will ask you to complete questionnaires to assess your symptoms/functioning and progress towards your therapy goals. I will also check in with you periodically about your general satisfaction with our sessions and your progress.