Welcome to Focal Points Therapy, a home for crafting what you deserve: a meaningful, enjoyable life where you are proud of who you are and what you do, a life aligned with your focal points: your core values.

As Nietzche wrote, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”

While no life is without pain, if we can learn to surf the waves of our thoughts and feelings, caring for our many inner selves with compassion, we can live with remarkably little suffering.

I’m Valerie, a Somatic Therapist, Expressive Arts Therapist, and Ketamine-Assisted Therapist with 20 years supporting others in healing, grounding, and expanding.

A black and white photo of Focal Points Therapy owner, therapist Valerie Epstein-Johnson. She has shoulder-length hair, wears black glasses, a striped cardigan, and a dark top.

My services

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    Somatic Therapy

    Connecting Mind, Body, and Emotion

    Somatic Therapy integrates body-centered techniques like Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT/tapping), breathwork, mindfulness, and guided visualization to help regulate the nervous system and connect you with your embodied experience.
    By tuning into your body’s wisdom, we create a safe space to release tension, heal emotional blockages, and bring your mind and body into alignment for deeper well-being.

    more info coming soon
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    Ketamine & Cannabis-Assisted Therapy

    Gentle Medicine. Deep Insight. Lasting Change.

    Psychedelic-assisted therapy blends science and spirit to support healing on every level—mind, body, and soul. Whether with fast-acting ketamine or therapeutic cannabis, our 2-hour sessions create space for relief, clarity, and connection. With compassionate guidance, we use these medicines to unlock emotional breakthroughs, reduce chronic symptoms, and reconnect you to what matters most.

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    Expressive Arts Therapy

    Healing Beyond Words

    Expressive Arts Therapy blends art, writing, music, and Jungian Sandplay to help you process emotions, access insight, and connect to your inner world.
    Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or searching for clarity, creative expression offers a powerful path to healing that goes beyond traditional talk therapy—no artistic skill required, just a willingness to explore.

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    Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    Live Your Values. Make Peace with the Present.

    ACT is a values-based talk therapy that helps you create meaningful change by increasing psychological flexibility. Through mindfulness, acceptance, and committed action, we work together to quiet the noise of self-doubt, reduce the grip of anxiety or depression, and help you take steps—small or bold—toward the life you want to live.

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    Parts Work Therapy

    Meet the Many Sides of You

    Parts Work Therapy is a talk therapy that helps you understand and meet the needs of the many “parts” of your Self. Drawing from the Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapeutic modality, parts work helps you untangle inner conflict, heal emotional wounds, and connect with “self energy.” Self-energy allows for a secure inner community, where the Self acts as a loving and supportive parent to all your parts—the strong, centered place inside you that can lead from values with clarity and calm.

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Clients say. . .

  • I have worked with Valerie for almost 6 years. Valerie's guidance has been life-changing for me. She's taught me ways to see and change old thought patterns using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. I've learned to have compassion for myself and more awareness of how my thoughts and feelings show up in my relationships, my work, and in my body. I have really enjoyed doing art and sand tray in therapy as ways to process what I feel. Valerie has also introduced me to wonderful books and online practitioners that have helped round out my learning. Valerie has a wide range of expertise and knowledge, but she is also so caring and present. I have always felt in good hands and have really grown as a thinking, feeling human with her guidance.

    Katie S.

  • Valerie is incredibly skilled at holding space and really making me feel seen in a safe, non-judgmental environment. I so appreciate her!

    Catherine P.

  • Valerie has many wonderful tools in her toolbox to help you on your journey. In my first session, she gave me options in how we could work together with Expressive Arts. I chose Sandplay (sand tray) therapy; it was fun to see how everything landed in the tray and then go through and talk about the symbology. During my session, I felt seen, supported and validated. Valerie created a safe space for me to explore my inner landscape and gain insight into a recurring pattern of mine.

    Kalindi B.