Grief counselors and therapists in Venice, FL

Hello and welcome!

I believe that commitment to therapy reveals courage, vulnerability, and strength. I use an integrated collaborative approach to helping you navigate challenges in your life.

Welcome! I'm Dr. Valarie Chapmon, DSW, LCSW, BCD, a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience helping individuals navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and relationship challenges. My background includes serving as a U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps officer and Psychological Health Team Lead, where I have provided behavioral health services to service members, veterans, and their families in both operational and clinical settings. I also have extensive experience working with survivors of trauma, military sexual trauma (MST), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), moral injury, and occupational stress.

I earned my Doctor of Social Work degree from Tulane University and am a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by stress, healing from past experiences, struggling with anxiety or depression, or simply looking for support during a difficult season of life, my goal is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where you feel heard, respected, and empowered. Together, we'll identify your strengths, develop practical coping strategies, and work toward meaningful, lasting change that aligns with your personal values and goals.

My name is Melyssa Rivera-Lopez; a Forensic Licensed Clinician who graduated with high honors from Barry University. I have 20 + years of experience working in the field. Responsibilities include delivering evidence-based treatment options, assessments, diagnosis, recommendations pertaining to mental health status, and serving as an expert witness. Other functions include policy and program development, mediation, advocacy, and behavioral science research.

I offer no judgement and offer a space for you to safely discuss any issues you're navigating. I help you to move forward feeling feeling empowered and autonomous.

My areas of expertise are family, social and interpersonal conflict, parenting, depression, anxiety, sexual identity concerns, academic challenges, anger issues, low self-confidence, esteem and past traumatic experiences. Other areas of expertise include intimate partner violence, LGBTQ, women's issues, grief, romantic relationship issues and stress.

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner dedicated to making high-quality mental health care accessible to everyone, especially individuals in underserved and rural communities. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of caring for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults in homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, and through telehealth.

I believe mental health care should be compassionate, collaborative, and free of judgment. My goal is to create a space where you feel heard, respected, and comfortable being yourself. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma, grief, or another mental health concern, we’ll work together to build a treatment plan that fits your life, not someone else’s.

I combine evidence-based medicine with a whole-person approach, recognizing that sleep, stress, relationships, physical health, and daily habits all play an important role in emotional well-being. My priority is helping you feel better while empowering you with the tools to thrive long after our appointments.