Valerie Taylor- CPC Intern

Valerie Taylor- CPC Intern

Valerie (pronouns she/her/hers) is a Clinical Professional Counselor student therapist attending Wake Forest University who has previously earned a doctorate degree in education and master’s degree in public administration.  She believes that collaboration between a therapist and client is the key to creating a healthy path for the positive emotional and life changes that we all seek. Through the use of an integrative, narrative centered approach and culturally meaningful lens, Valerie’s clients are supported in finding solutions to address the difficult challenges that brought them to seek help.

She draws from her years of experience as a professor, trauma informed yoga instructor, teacher trainer and health educator and advocate. Her areas of focus include: anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, self-esteem, stress and trauma.  She works with diverse clients and specializes in working with people of color and LGBTQIA+ communities.

The quote that guides her is  "I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept." by Dr. Angela Davis. Valerie’s counseling philosophy is that change is a process, but she will be here to help you sustain a vibrant, healthy and genuine presence in life. Valerie enjoys laughing at her Boston terriers and reading books on a plane, beach or at a vegan café. 



Jennifer Tripp-Herring - MFT Intern

Jenn Tripp-Herring- MFT Intern

Jenn is passionate about creating a transparent, accepting, and healing space. This space is created by forming a sound rapport that is empathetic and founded on an unrelenting positive regard. In a collaborate effort, she works with clients to find strategies that are both expressive and progressive! Jenn strives to support those experiencing relational issues, anxiety, depression, and other life challenges by focusing on effective communication, connection, self acceptance, and fulfillment.

We all experience life's struggles and your unique experiences deserve to be heard, validated, and appreciated! It is her passion to offer a space unlike any other in the world: a place of peace, openness, respect, and an unrelenting positive regard.

She has years of experience with mood disorders, including anxiety and depression. Additionally, she specialize in relational issues, such as communication difficulty or infidelity. Whether an individual, couple, or family unit, each person’s expression and experiences will be valued, explored, and attended to!

Explainer: Therapists at Red Rock Counseling

Explainer: Therapists at Red Rock Counseling

Curious about our therapists at Red Rock Counseling? This explainer breaks down the differences and similarities between graduate level student therapists, pre-licensed state interns, and fully licensed therapists.

Fostering Mind-Body Connections in the New Year

Fostering Mind-Body Connections in the New Year

For the longest time, I could never understand how mediation was something that would actually help me. Why sit and deep breathe? What does that do? Ever since becoming a student therapist, I have a newfound respect for meditation and breathwork ...

What's the Difference? Student Therapists & State Interns

What's the Difference? Student Therapists & State Interns

When scrolling through therapist profiles, you may have noticed terms like ‘intern’ and ‘student intern’ and are wondering what the heck the differences are and what they mean to you? Here’s a little look into the journey from student therapist to state intern to fully licensed therapist…

How to Free Yourself From Chronic Pain (Even If It Seems Like It Will Never Get Better)

How to Free Yourself From Chronic Pain (Even If It Seems Like It Will Never Get Better)

Pain demands your attention, it demands an explanation, and it demands a response.

If you’ve been dealing with chronic pain for any length of time, then you know this all too well. You also know that the attention pain demands can be exhausting, its explanations are rarely satisfying, and treatments are often disappointing.

Though you might feel hopeless at times, you can learn to better manage your pain and live a productive, fulfilling life. It starts with understanding how your relationship with pain influences the pain you experience.

Sarah Runyon - MFT Intern

I am passionate about helping couples, families, and individuals navigate the nuances of life and relationships by fostering a collaborative, safe, and connected therapeutic relationship. If you find yourself feeling trapped in a cycle of conflict with your partner, child, or family member that seems hopeless and never-ending, I can walk along with you on the path to regaining hope, peace, and meaningful connection.

What Will You Gain When You Lose Diet Culture? - Written by Melanie English

What Will You Gain When You Lose Diet Culture? - Written by Melanie English

With spring on the horizon, many people recommit to their new year’s resolutions to lose a few pounds to achieve that perfect summer body. For some people, dieting may lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and their body. Prevalence rates of eating disorders are on the rise in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, The National Eating Disorders Association hotline experienced an increase in calls by 70-80%.

What is structural integration? by Daniel Akins

What is structural integration? by Daniel Akins

What is structural integration? Basically, I use manual therapy and self-care education to help you find lasting relief from pain and stress. My approach is tailored to your needs and oriented around a process that takes your whole body, and you as a whole person, into consideration. This work is about helping you learn how to find a sense of comfort and ease in your body that’s authentic and sustainable so that you can be more fully yourself, at home in your body, and available for life. After a session, clients often report feeling lighter, taller, with less pain and fewer movement restrictions. With diligence, these feelings can often deepen and sustain over time.

Teletherapy VS In-Person Therapy by Cassandra Rodriguez

Teletherapy VS In-Person Therapy by Cassandra Rodriguez

There are some disadvantages that should be acknowledged when deciding whether to meet online or in person. One thing that should be considered is the internet; if the connection is slow there may be a lot of buffering and cutting out which could make a session unsuccessful and difficult to follow. Another consideration to be made is that not having that face to face contact can lack nonverbal cues and can make it difficult for people to feel validated or understood. The therapist might also miss cues and could potentially dismiss something that might have more importance than it seems.

Impact of Compassion Fatigue in the Veterinary Field by Ariana Westfall

Impact of Compassion Fatigue in the Veterinary Field by Ariana Westfall

When pets become sick or injured, it causes considerable stress and anxiety for the owners. People often don’t think of the impact it has on the doctors, nurses, and other support staff that are treating the beloved fur-babies. Those professionals enter the field because of their love, passion, and commitment to the creatures that enter through their office doors. While in school, I had the opportunity to work in this area and have first-hand experience behind the scenes.