Valerian Psychotherapy

About Us

Valerian Psychotherapy helps high-achieving, anxious adults move beyond perfectionism, people-pleasing, and trauma into more connected, fulfilling relationships.

With anxious perfectionism and people-pleasing, appearing collected on the outside can mask shame-spiraling, burnout, and a constant sense of internal urgency. You are constantly evaluating yourself: Am I doing enough? Am I disappointing anyone? No matter what you accomplish, the goalpost seems to move. You second guess your feelings. Other people's needs can take priority before there's even a chance to notice your own. Somewhere along the way, achievement, helpfulness, or keeping the peace may have become tied to feeling worthy, safe, or accepted.

Therapy offers a place where you don’t have to perform. You’re ready to understand yourself beyond people’s expectations, untangle performance pressure, and deepen your relationships. Together, we’ll explore the roles you’ve learned to play, the parts you tend to hide, and the patterns that are no longer working. You’ll learn to trust yourself, set boundaries without being consumed by guilt, and make choices based on what you actually want, not what you think you should want.

Carley Irwin, Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of Valerian Psychotherapy, is a LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity affirming provider who offers sex-positive therapy to individuals and couples. She provides therapy in-person in Akron, Ohio and virtually throughout the state of Ohio.