"This book is a marvel! ...A compendium of real-life stories and useful tips about solving the universal problem of loneliness. I plan to recommend this book widely!" --Jacqueline Olds, MD, Coauthor, The Lonely American, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and Psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital
"This book is a marvel! ...A compendium of real-life stories and useful tips about solving the universal problem of loneliness. I plan to recommend this book widely!" --Jacqueline Olds, MD, Coauthor, The Lonely American, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, and Psychiatrist at Massachusetts General Hospital
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"With clarity, compassion, and wisdom, Walker teaches the art and craft of comforting others and ourselves. In today's distressed and frenetic world, she does us all a great favor." --Mary Pipher, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia and Women Rowing North
"With clarity, compassion, and wisdom, Walker teaches the art and craft of comforting others and ourselves. In today's distressed and frenetic world, she does us all a great favor." --Mary Pipher, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling author of Reviving Ophelia and Women Rowing North
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Author
Val writes about breaking out of isolating life situations by building community, friendships, and a sense of belonging. She is the author of The Art of Comforting which won the Nautilus Book Award in 2011, and 400 Friends and No One to Call (Central Recovery Press).
Consultant
Certified as a human rights advocate by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Val develops and teaches courses on human rights, advocacy, reducing social isolation, and building community.
Educator
Val provides engaging and interactive classes for seniors and people with disabilities. Sparking conversation, wordplay, and storytelling, her classes have helped people “re-enter” their social lives by moving forward out of isolating situations.
Val is a contributing blogger for Psychology Today, exploring the topics of loneliness, breaking out of isolation, and building community. Her book, 400 Friends and No One to Call: Breaking Through Isolation and Building Community, was released in 2020 with Central Recovery Press. A former rehabilitation counselor, Val teaches and speaks throughout New England and contributes to the Health Story Collaborative in Boston.
Recently interviewed on Global TV Canada’s Morning Show