Plano
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Email Me
(972) 433-5730 Call Me
(972) 433-5730 Call Me
or
Email Me
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS

Valerie Akins

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS (she, her)

Verified by Psychology Today Verified by Psychology Today
Call Me
Let's Connect (972) 433-5730
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Waitlist. Contact to join the list for online therapy.
Plano, TX 75024
My website
I specialize in ACT & RO DBT for adults with emotional overcontrol. My clients often struggle with worry, needing certainty & structure, rigid thinking, insistence on rules, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination or excessive working. Clients tend to struggle with social connections, people-please or have low assertiveness, have low emotional awareness and restricted emotional expression. Overcontrol may include depression, anxiety, and personality disorders (Avoidant PD, Obsessive-Compulsive PD). I also specialize in psychosis. Treatment focuses on building psychological flexibility, valued living & healthy relationships.
I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients recognize their emotional avoidance, open up to the present moment, and live by their values. I am also level 3 trained in Radically Open DBT (RO DBT) for disorders of overcontrol, which helps clients learn about their social signaling in relationships while building connection and openness.
My approach uses kindness, understanding, and feedback. I am passionate about helping clients develop open-mindedness, exploring new behaviors and coping, and accountability to goals. I want clients to feel safe and connected, while gaining confidence to be present with their thoughts and emotions, engage better, and improve their social connections.
Call or Valerie Akins now for a free 15 minute consultation - (972) 433-5730

My Practice at a Glance

Waitlist. Contact to join the list for online therapy.

Open Acceptance Counseling, PLLC

Plano, TX 75024

(972) 433-5730
My website
Contact me for a consultation about your therapy needs and if my approach is the right fit for you.
I specialize in Anxiety, Personality Disorders and Relationship Issues 
$175 Per Session, I accept insurance 
I see individuals and groups  
Learn more about your style of coping and how to improve your relationships, thoughts and emotions. I can't wait to work with you!
Valerie Akins
Let's Connect (972) 433-5730
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS

My Practice at a Glance

Waitlist. Contact to join the list for online therapy.

Open Acceptance Counseling, PLLC

Plano, TX 75024

(972) 433-5730
My website
Contact me for a consultation about your therapy needs and if my approach is the right fit for you.
I specialize in Anxiety, Personality Disorders and Relationship Issues 
$175 Per Session, I accept insurance 
I see individuals and groups  
Learn more about your style of coping and how to improve your relationships, thoughts and emotions. I can't wait to work with you!
Valerie Akins

Finances

Fees

  • Individual Sessions $175
  • Sliding scale: apply if you may be eligible

Payment Methods

American Express, Cash, Discover, Health Savings Account, Mastercard, Visa

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Aetna Medicare
  • Ambetter
  • BCBS Medicare
  • Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield
  • BlueCross and BlueShield
  • Humana
  • Humana Medicare
  • Medicare
  • Meritain Health
  • Optum
  • Oscar Health
  • Sliding Scale
  • Superior HealthPlan
  • United Medical Resources (UMR)
  • UnitedHealthcare UHC | UBH
  • Out of Network
"
I am in-network with many insurances, and can directly send your claim to out-of-network companies on your behalf, or provide a superbill. I believe in access to treatment and offer sliding scale fees.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (972) 433-5730
"
I am in-network with many insurances, and can directly send your claim to out-of-network companies on your behalf, or provide a superbill. I believe in access to treatment and offer sliding scale fees.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (972) 433-5730

Qualifications

  • Verified by Psychology Today Licensed by State of Texas / 61726 Valerie Akins

    • Education and Years In Practice

  • Attended University of Illinois at Chicago, MSW, Graduated 2015

    • Additional Credentials

  • License: LCAS (North Carolina) 28178
  • License: LCDC (Texas) 15023
"
I have experience in inpatient psychiatric & detox, partial hospitalization, outpatient settings, and residential eating disorder treatment. I am licensed in TX and NC as a LCSW & LCDC/LCAS. I am trained in ACT with an emphasis on perfectionism, and I am a level 3 RO DBT practitioner.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (972) 433-5730
"
I have experience in inpatient psychiatric & detox, partial hospitalization, outpatient settings, and residential eating disorder treatment. I am licensed in TX and NC as a LCSW & LCDC/LCAS. I am trained in ACT with an emphasis on perfectionism, and I am a level 3 RO DBT practitioner.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (972) 433-5730

Specialties and Expertise

Top Specialties

  • Anxiety
  • Personality Disorders
  • Relationship Issues

Expertise

  • Alcohol Use
  • Avoidant Personality Disorder (AVPD)
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Bisexual
  • Body Image
  • Depression
  • Dual Diagnosis
  • Eating Disorders
  • Lesbian
  • LGBTQ+
  • Life Transitions
  • Mood Disorders
  • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
  • Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
  • Psychosis
  • Self Esteem
  • Stress
  • Thinking Disorders
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Women's Issues
"
I work with clients who experience emotional overcontrol and excessive regulation. Treatment targets openness and flexibility to thoughts, emotions and experiences, and improving social skills. In therapy, we will focus on items such as interpersonal relationships, perfectionism, envy, resentments, cynicism, harsh judgments, eating disorders, addictions, trauma, life adjustments and stressors.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (972) 433-5730
"
I work with clients who experience emotional overcontrol and excessive regulation. Treatment targets openness and flexibility to thoughts, emotions and experiences, and improving social skills. In therapy, we will focus on items such as interpersonal relationships, perfectionism, envy, resentments, cynicism, harsh judgments, eating disorders, addictions, trauma, life adjustments and stressors.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (972) 433-5730

Client Focus

Age

Adults , 
Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals , 
Group

Age

Adults , 
Elders (65+)

Participants

Individuals , 
Group

Treatment Approach

Types of Therapy

  • Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
  • Compassion Focused
  • Emotionally Focused
  • Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP)
  • Gottman Method
  • Interpersonal
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Radically Open DBT (RO DBT)
  • Rational Emotive Behavior (REBT)
  • Relational
  • Trauma Focused
"
My practice uses ACT to improve clients' psychological flexibility, by recognizing and allowing difficult thoughts and emotions, and living within their values. RO DBT helps clients to improve emotional loneliness by helping clients gain understanding of social connection needs and social signaling. My clients work on identifying unhelpful interpersonal behaviors and improving self-expression.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (972) 433-5730
"
My practice uses ACT to improve clients' psychological flexibility, by recognizing and allowing difficult thoughts and emotions, and living within their values. RO DBT helps clients to improve emotional loneliness by helping clients gain understanding of social connection needs and social signaling. My clients work on identifying unhelpful interpersonal behaviors and improving self-expression.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call or for a free 15 minute consultation now - (972) 433-5730

Groups

ACT Skills Group

Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Hosted by
Valerie Akins

Another round of telehealth Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group coming in summer 2026!

Expertise

Anxiety
Depression

Age

Adults
Email Valerie Akins about this group or call - (972) 433-5730

RO DBT Skills Refresher Course

Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Hosted by
Valerie Akins

RO DBT refresher course will recap the skills from RO DBT. The next cycle is anticipated to start in January 2026.

Expertise

Anxiety
Depression

Age

Adults

Session Cost

up to $50

Group Meets

Every Fri 11:30 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Email Valerie Akins about this group or call - (972) 433-5730

Interpersonal Process Group- 2026 Dates TBD

Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Hosted by
Valerie Akins

Learn skills from Interpersonal Psychotherapy, ACT, RO DBT, Gottman Method, and Emotionally Focused Therapy, all while processing your experiences, attachment and relationships with peers in a supportive environment.

Email Valerie Akins about this group or call - (972) 433-5730

Location

Primary Location

Open Acceptance Counseling, PLLC

Plano, TX 75024

(972) 433-5730

Email Me

My website

Nearby Areas

Cities

Counties

Zips

"
Contact me for a consultation about your therapy needs and if my approach is the right fit for you.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call for a free consultation now - (972) 433-5730
"
Contact me for a consultation about your therapy needs and if my approach is the right fit for you.
Photo of Valerie Akins, Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Valerie Akins
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, LCDC, LCAS
Call for a free consultation now - (972) 433-5730