About Val
A dietitian who's been there
Hi, I'm Val. I've sat on both sides of this: as someone in recovery, and as the dietitian across the table (or the screen). I know how exhausting it is when food takes up so much space in your head, and I know it can get quieter. My job is helping you get there.
My story
The scenic route, and the personal one
I was born in Ukraine and grew up in Brooklyn, surrounded by so many people and cultures, which I loved. As the only child of immigrant parents, I know a thing or two about the pressure to make your family proud.
I studied psychology, spent a few years in professional development, and then went back for my master's in clinical nutrition at NYU. The intersection of food and mental health has always fascinated me. Eating is something we're born knowing how to do, and somehow it becomes one of the most confusing parts of modern life.
I also know this work from the inside. I've been through my own eating disorder and recovery, and I know how all-consuming it can be, like a prison in your own mind. The real me was in there, but she was stuck. My recovery began when I recognized that she was worthy and lovable, and I started listening to what my body actually needed.
I trained in eating disorder treatment at Monte Nido, spent six years building my practice in New York City, and moved to Durham in 2023. Today I see clients virtually across New York and North Carolina, and in person in Durham.
I'm also a mom of two, so I know all too well how tricky it can be to balance work, parenting, and taking care of yourself. When I do get a free moment, you'll probably find me browsing a bookstore. (Buying books doesn't count as shopping. It's an investment. #girlmath) I have a serious case of wanderlust, and I'm always planning my next trip or the next new restaurant to try.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know me a little. I hope I get the chance to know you, too: what gets you excited in the morning, what you love doing when no one's watching the clock, and what you'll do with all that extra brain space once food stops taking up so much of it.
Val
How I work
You're in the driver's seat
I'm in the passenger seat, helping navigate, and also in charge of the Spotify playlist.
A lot of people come to me exhausted and confused, with no trust left in themselves. My job is to help you tune out the noise and reconnect with the kind of care you want to give your body. I'm a good listener, I'll ask the questions that make you stop and think, and I'm not above pointing out the funny side of what your brain is up to. Recovery doesn't have to be all doom and gloom.
The goal isn't just enjoying food again. It's enjoying your life again, without food always sitting in the back of your mind.
Care over control.
The heart of my work
What I believe
Everyone deserves to feel safe here
My values and my work are intertwined. I practice from a weight-inclusive, anti-racist, LGBTQ+ affirming, and neurodiversity-affirming lens, because the way someone is treated in the world shapes their relationship with food and their body.
As a white, thin, able-bodied, cisgender person, I know my privilege comes into the room with me. I take that seriously, I keep learning, and I work to make this a space where people of all identities, especially marginalized ones, feel safe and respected.
Off the clock
A few things about me
- Recovering Type A
- Still working on it, and happy to report progress.
- Extroverted introvert
- I love meeting new people, hate small talk, and need a book to recharge after a big event.
- Paper planner loyalist
- I've used a paper planner since college, and I still prefer it to anything digital. There's nothing like opening it up and seeing the whole week or month ahead. (See: recovering Type A.)
- An annual fall rewatch
- You've Got Mail, every single year. A classic Nora Ephron New York love story, and the nostalgia is unbeatable.
- I design websites, too
- My creative outlet is 8484 Creative, a Squarespace design studio for therapists, dietitians, and coaches.
Whenever you're ready
Let's see if we're a good fit
A free 15‑minute call is an easy first step. We'll talk through what's going on, what support could look like, and whether I'm the right person to help.
Virtual across NY and NCIn person in Durham
Duke Student Health Plan acceptedSuperbills for other plans