Valerie Van Dam

Valerie Van Dam has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Bridgeport and a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work. Her eighteen years of experience in Connecticut has led her to work various positions such as clinician and supervisor in mental health facilities and director of an innovative program maintaining chronically mentally ill people in the community.

Since moving to Georgia in 1991, Valerie has worked as a clinician in the Behavioral Inpatient Program at Peachford Hospital, at Dekalb Medical Center as a medical social worker on the Medical Psychiatric Unit, at Emory Midtown Hospital as the social worker in a Family Practice Program, and in a Home Health Care Program as the social worker supervisor. For the past 19 years, she has committed herself to work as a clinician in the AVIV Program at JF&CS.

Valerie specializes in working with older adults (and their families) at both the Main and Cobb offices, and when the client is physically unable, she travels to the client's home. Many of her cases center around clients presenting her with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, grief, loss, chronic medical illnesses and other matters relating to growing older.

A range of treatment modalities are used to meet the specific needs of the client and the family. The most important part of her practice is to create a safe and accepting environment, so the client feels comfortable in solving their problems and resolving their issues.