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

How the Counseling Process Looks

My therapeutic process is structured, focused, and tailored personally to you. It consists of 4 main stages designed to guide you toward practical, research-based change:

  • Stage 1: The Initial Consultation (By Phone) 📞

    Before we meet, we will have a brief phone call. The goal is to understand the core challenge, identify who is attending (an individual or a couple), and ensure that clinical sexology/counseling is the right level of intervention for you (and that there is no immediate need for acute psychiatric stabilization or substance abuse treatment). If everything aligns, I will send you a service agreement and targeted questionnaires (covering sexual functioning, relationship/sexual satisfaction, addiction continuum metrics, and relevant history), as well as referrals for medical exams (urologist/gynecologist) if needed to rule out or include physical factors. I thoroughly review all this data before our first session so we arrive fully prepared.

  • Stage 2: Intake and Assessment Session (Approx. 2 Hours) 🛋️

    This is an in-depth, comprehensive introductory session where we map out the issue in detail. If we agree on the framework and recommendations, you won't leave empty-handed—by the end of this session, you will already walk away with practical recommendations and your first home assignments.

  • Stage 3: Moving Forward – Weekly Sessions 🧭

    From this point on, we meet weekly. In each session, we will review the home exercises you practiced, analyze both the challenges and successes, and continue to shape your process of change. The process is frequently supported by research literature and reading materials to empower you with knowledge and tools.

  • Stage 4: Measuring Progress and Evaluation 📊

    I believe in data-driven therapy. Every few sessions, we will measure your pace of progress using dedicated questionnaires for the relevant metrics, ensuring we are effectively moving toward the goals you set.

How long does the process take? The duration of the process varies based on your specific needs:

  • Focused Intervention: Some clients benefit fully from a single session, receiving direct guidance and referrals to relevant resources or experts, which is all they need.

  • Short-Term Process (10–20 Sessions): Ideal for couples or individuals working through multiple issues simultaneously (both individual and relational) until they achieve their desired results based on scientific metrics and personal satisfaction.

  • Long-Term Process (Up to a Year): In more complex cases, we will work together over an extended period, but always with a practical, change-oriented approach.

How does it end? The process concludes when you have achieved significant change and are fully satisfied with your progress. We say our goodbyes, knowing that we can always reconnect for a follow-up session a few months down the line or at a different milestone in your life. As long as there are goals to work toward, I am right here by your side.