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Child Specialist

My name is Valerie Anne Demming and I am a Mental Health Professional and Child Specialist with Alaska Association of Collaborative Professionals. I am an experienced therapist who has worked with children, adolescents, individuals, couples, and families for the last 30 years. I was born and raised in Palmer, Alaska and attended college at University of Alaska Fairbanks and graduated with a Bachelors in Education with a minor in Psychology in 1975. In 1984 I graduated with a Masters in Community Counseling with a certification in Elementary School Counseling. I was employed as an elementary teacher for thirteen years and ten years as an Elementary School Counselor in the Fairbanks area. After moving to Anchorage in 2002, I attended Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center graduating with my Doctorate in Psychology in 2009. I have operated my Private Counseling Practice since 1993 in Fairbanks and in Anchorage and now statewide through telehealth. I have extensive knowledge in the area of child development and behavior. I have worked in the counseling setting with numerous children whose parents are in the process of divorcing or have obtained a divorce. I have additional training from The Grief and Loss Center in Ft. Collins Colorado, which has been invaluable with my work with children, and adults who have gone through or are going through the divorce process. My work for my doctorate was focused on Self-Injury of female adolescents. I have counseled many teens, male and female, that have chosen this behavior to cope with life stressors. Another focus of my practice is working with clients that have been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused. I appreciate and am dedicated to working with the other professionals and clients in the Collaborative divorce process as we work together to assist our clients in a dignified and civil manner to come together to make decisions concerning their lives.

Michael Gershel

Lawyer

I am glad that you have found your way to the website of the Alaska Association of Collaborative Professionals. You can find additional helpful information at www.collaborativepractice.com. Collaborative law provides an excellent alternative approach to addressing divorce, child custody and other family disputes that are traditionally handled by the legal system. Divorce is an emotional process, and it can be emotionally, legally and financially overwhelming. If not handled well, it can be stressful or even damaging to your children. Working through the collaborative process allows you to actively participate in shaping your own future, whether you are working with me or with other collaborative professionals that you will find on this website. Collaborative team members will help you to identify what is most important for you, in a respectful, supportive process that will spare you from the cost and uncertainty of ongoing legal battles. I have 32 years of experience, working almost exclusively in the areas of divorce, child custody and adoption. I handle both trial court matters and appeals.

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