Valerie Simon

Valerie Simon, LCSW, TEP, CET III, creator of The Inner Stage®, uniquely blends her entertainment industry background with her expertise as a certified Experiential Therapist, a Trainer, Educator & Practitioner of psychodrama, and a Certified Internal Family Systems therapist. A therapist of thirty years, Valerie envisioned Play Your Parts℠, a hybrid healing method that incorporates IFS and psychodrama.  She also trains practitioners in this hybrid approach. Listen to Valerie on The One Inside podcast discussing Play Your Parts℠ here.

Valerie graduated with honors from NYU Tisch School of the Arts with a BFA in Film/Television production and has worked in various aspects of the industry. Valerie worked in production and post-production on feature films and television movies. She also read scripts at Ron Howard’s Imagine Entertainment and was the coordinator at Jim Henson’s world famous Muppet Workshop.

After receiving an MSW with a 4.0 GPA and a research award from NYU School of Social Work, Valerie began extensive training in psychodrama with noted psychodramatist and author, Tian Dayton, PhD. She has received the highest certification as a Trainer, Educator & Practitioner of psychodrama. Additionally, Valerie is a Certified Level III Internal Family Systems Therapist and an Approved IFS Clinical Consultant, having trained with and been supervised by the creator of the method, Richard Schwartz, PhD, as well as notable IFS trainers Chris Burris, Cece Sykes, Pamela Krause, Kay Gardner, Fran Booth and Susan McConnell. In 2025, Valerie was chosen to attend a week-long retreat with Richard Schwartz and Jeanne Catanzaro in Molokai, Hawaii.

Recognizing the importance of culturally competent psychotherapy practices, she and her staff have completed Anti-Racism Training through the Diversity and Resiliency Institute, Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace Compliance Training, and LGBTQIA2+ Ally Training through The Meadows. Valerie uses she/her pronouns.

Valerie has worked in a variety of psychological settings including hospitals, addictions facilities, public schools, and mental health clinics. She provided services to those affected by September 11th through Project Liberty, and she also aided Gulf Coast musicians after Hurricane Katrina through her work at the Jazz Foundation of America. Listen to Valerie here on NPR speaking about working with jazz musicians.  Additionally Valerie facilitates trainings and intensives at Experience Onsite in TN, as well as their alumni groups in NYC.

Since 2023, Valerie has been a volunteer therapist for Army of Healers, a coalition of therapists who work with Arabs and Jews in order to promote peace and healing in the Middle East. 

Valerie’s practice suite is conveniently located in the Midtown West neighborhood of Manhattan, with easy access to most MTA subway lines. Click here for directions.

We do not participate in any in-network insurance plans at The Inner Stage, but your therapist can provide a monthly receipt for insurance reimbursement.

Please contact Valerie here.