Dr. Valerie Sussman is a survivor, a healer, and a creative force on a mission to empower women to reclaim their voices, heal their wounds, and create lives that are nothing short of masterpieces. As a writer, artist, and retired pediatrician, Valerie brings a unique blend of expertise, compassion, and irreverent wit to her work, creating a safe and inspiring space for women to explore their stories, express their truths, and transform their pain into power.

Valerie's journey of healing and self-discovery began at the age of fifty, when she bravely hung up her stethoscope, filed for divorce after twenty years in an emotionally abusive narcissistic marriage, and set out to mend her broken heart. In the process, she rediscovered the transformative power of creativity, embracing the wise words of Carrie Fisher, "Take your broken heart and make some art." And make art, she did.
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Valerie's mixed media pieces, crafted from an assortment of toys and other trinkets, have been described as “a punch to the gut and a belly laugh all at once” and hailed as a “triumph of Outsider Art,” but it's her writing that truly sets her apart. Valerie's words have the power to both comfort and challenge, to validate and inspire, to amuse, and surprise. Click here to explore her work in her online gallery (coming soon!)
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As a Caroline Strawson-certified Narcissistic Abuse Specialist and a graduate of renowned coaching programs like Martha Beck's "Wayfinders" and Claire Zammit's "Feminine Power," Valerie brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to her volunteer work as a coach and mentor to ex-foster youths, and as a writing coach for incarcerated individuals, reflecting her deep commitment to empowering others to share their stories and heal their wounds.

When she's not elbow-deep in paint, words, or glue, Valerie can be found exploring the world (43 countries and counting!), diving into dark humor, or savoring time with her blended Brady Bunch family of six sons, one much-appreciated daughter, and a loving, decidedly non-narcissistic partner.

With laughter, boundless curiosity, and an unwavering belief in the power of the human spirit, Valerie is a force to be reckoned with - and a beacon of hope for women everywhere.