Valerie Schrader, a somatic trauma practitioner offering somatic trauma support, nervous system regulation, and IFS for neurodivergent adult with ADHD, AuDHD, Autism, OCD, and CPTSD

Valerie Schrader, MSCC, BSW, SEP, IFS

Hey there! I’m Val, a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner with a clinical social work background. I help individuals and couples dealing with the impact of complex trauma, specifically childhood emotional neglect/abuse, attachment trauma, and narcissistic abuse. I also help navigate the challenges that come with a late-stage ADHD, AuDHD, or autism diagnosis.

My approach is compassion-based, non-pathologizing, and collaborative. That means you set the pace while I help you learn how to feel your feelings without spiraling or shutting down.

Together, we’ll go beyond talking about what happened and what’s still bothering you to address old triggers, build practical coping strategies, reshape your self-perception, strengthen your boundary-setting and conflict-resolution skills.

On the other side, you'll gain self-trust and the capacity to manage your relationships and life with less guilt or shame. You'll understand who you are and what you need with more clarity and confidence.

If you've felt failed by talk therapy and desire an approach that considers all parts of you, I'd love to chat! Schedule a free consultation below.

Trauma robs us of the ability to enjoy our lives fully, but I want to help you take back your power!

What I Specialize in:

CPTSD (Complex Trauma):

Childhood Emotional Neglect & Abuse
Eldest Child/Daughter & Parentification
Attachment Trauma
Narcissistic Abuse
Religious Trauma
Sexual Assault & Abuse
ADHD, AuDHD, & ASD Neurodivergent Adapted Support

Symptoms and Issues I Address:

People Pleasing
Perfectionism
Imposter Syndrome
Shame
Poor Body Image

Relationship Struggles

Boundary Setting
Conflict Resolution Skills

Anxiety
Chronic Stress

Executive Functioning Issues
Emotional Regulation
Time Management
Dissociation & Freeze
Burnout

Explore Somatic Trauma Support

Valerie Schrader, Somatic Trauma Practitioner, offers Individual and Couples IFS and Somatic Trauma Therapy for Complex Trauma survivors and Neurodivergent adults with CPTSD, ADHD, AuDHD, and OCD in Ohio and Online

A Little More About Me…

I’m a Xennial mom (my daughter’s a legal adult 🤯), a cis woman (she/her pronouns), pansexual, ADHD with CPTSD, and I have a husky named Bo and a cat named Nadja.
I grew up with a narcissistic mom, abusive stepdad, and emotionally unavailable dad. There was lots of family trauma, housing instability, and hardship.
I’m a CSA, SA, and DV survivor who has dealt with chronic pain and other health challenges.
I’m first-generation American (German Jewish on my dad’s side, Italian and Turkish on my mom’s side).
I’m a progressive intersectional feminist and humanitarian. That means I’m pro-queer, pro-black, pro-indigenous, pro sex-worker (I’m a former one). I believe in social justice, equity, disability rights, and trans rights. For me, climate change is real; abolish ICE and the police; land back; free Palestine; free Congo; free Sudan; etc.
I’m a Leo Sun, Aries, Moon, and Taurus Rising in case you wanted to know.
Some of my hobbies include belly dancing, pole dancing (I’m a former pro aerialist), Pilates, hiking, concerts, road trips, buying an obscene amount of houseplants, reading smutty books, horror movies, drag shows, and weekly coffee dates with my friends.
I do not stand with racism, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, Zionism, transphobia, anti-blackness, colorism, ableism, xenophobia, ageism, fatphobia, classism, or any discrimination related to ethnicity, national origin, or ancestry.

My Philosophies

The Western therapy model is deeply flawed, pathologizes systemic trauma, and has a lot of racist roots.
Trauma is stored in the body and affects the parts of your brain that control your fight-or-flight response. We have to address your nervous system’s response to trauma.
Colonization, capitalism, patriarchy, and Judeo-Christian religions create trauma, and individual healing requires addressing the role systemic oppression plays.
You aren’t broken, you don’t need to be fixed, and you aren’t bad. Even if you’ve done things you regret, you still deserve healing.
Trauma impacts how you view yourself, the world, and how you interact with others, but it doesn’t have to define the rest of your life.
Healing isn't perfect, and it doesn't happen in a straight line. You’re going to make mistakes, backslide, and be messy sometimes.
Every part of you is lovable, even the parts of yourself you feel ashamed of, judge, and criticize.
Your emotions aren’t your enemy; they just feel overwhelming because you were taught to see them as being too big or too much.
Healing isn’t meant to be done alone; community is crucial for our growth and developing new relationship habits.

Land Acknowledgment

I honor the lands of the Shawnee, Miami, and other Indigenous peoples in Central Ohio, and I commit to creating a space that recognizes the ongoing impacts of colonization.

Modalities

I prioritize a trauma-informed, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+-affirming care rooted in liberation, equity, and social justice.

My Credentials

Clinical Social Work - Eastern Kentucky University, 2022-2024
Sociology and Comparative Studies on marginalized mental health – The Ohio State University, 1999-2006
IFS, Somatic Therapy, and Trauma - The Embody Lab, 2025-2026
Somatic Parts Work (focused on dissociative disorders) - The Embody Lab, 2025
Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certification – The Embody Lab, 2022
Healing Intergenerational Trauma Certification – The Embody Lab, 2021
Inner Healing Journey & Resilience and Thrive Trainings – The Embody Lab, 2021
Broken Connections: Experiential Strategies for Trauma and Attachment with Dr. Diane Poole Heller, 2021
Anti-Racist Academy with Nima Mohammed, 2021
VITA™ Coaching Method Certification for Sex, Love, and Relationships – 2019-2021
Anti-Racism and LGBTQ+ Diversity & Inclusion Training with Nikka Karli, 2019-2020