About me
Valeriya Bolshinsky, Ph.D.
Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology, Behavioral & Substance Addiction Specialty, International Institute of Clinical Sexology, Miami, Florida, USA
M.A. in Community Mental Health, Haifa University, Israel
B.A. in Psychology, The Open University, Israel
Family & Couple Therapy student (current), The Israeli Institute for Systemic Studies, Family and Personal Change, Herzlia
I was born in Ukraine, growing up in a village where I enjoyed the rich nature and open spaces. Alongside that beauty, I also learned firsthand the full price of addiction—on the individual, the family, and society as a whole.
When I immigrated to Israel at age 16, I followed the "honorable and accepted" path of my generation: military service, multiple academic degrees, and managing complex wholesale systems for seven years. The extensive experience I gained in system management taught me how to understand patterns, manage complex crises, and build focused action plans—tools I apply in therapy today.
Eight years ago, I made the transition to the field truly close to my heart: mental health. I now manage a large rehabilitation system, oversee many patients, and mentor professional teams. Day-to-day, I witness the most challenging human struggles: from the effects of complex trauma and difficult family history, through mid-life crises, to the unbearable costs of addiction, the erosion of connections, and rigid, inflexible patterns that have destroyed entire lives.
But alongside the pain, I see the magic: I see how dedicated work in the interpersonal realm creates hope, drives change, and guides people through a beautiful journey that seems almost impossible. For me, it is worth every single effort!
This is my approach: I believe in the power of practical tools and focused behavioral change to transform reality. That is why I assign and review homework. I believe in the power of the facilitator on the healing journey, but above all—in the immense ability of every individual to restore their life and build a better future
What to expect?
Phase 1: Crisis Stabilization
When distress is high, we focus on you and the present moment. As part of the behavioral approach, we equip you with practical, immediate tools for managing triggers and interrupting destructive patterns. Together, we build a personalized Sobriety Plan and a Relapse Prevention Plan. The goal is to ensure you remain active and committed to the process starting from Day One and between our sessions.
Phase 2: Deep Work
We look beyond the expressed behaviors to understand the root causes maintaining the cycle. We will identify dysfunctional core beliefs that fuel the cycle, and uncover interpersonal and systemic patterns that block your efforts to make a change. In this phase, we deepen your Sobriety Plan, expand the circles of life that have been neglected, find new anchors (supports), and build personal resilience to help you face stress and challenges along the way.
Phase 3: Your Vision
I am here to accompany you on your complete healing journey: to restore your connection with yourself and with the significant people in your life, and to build a new life defined by connection, intimacy, and the values you define for yourself.