Valerie Knight, Ph.D., is a New York State-licensed clinical psychologist who engages the therapeutic arts.

My journey began as an actress, singer, director, and collaborator in the professional theater. I was a longtime member of the New York Street Theatre Caravan and appeared in many productions nationally and internationally. Following the urge to address the voices of the voiceless, injustice, and inequity, I began to explore training in psychology, melding the study of character and motivation, long a part of my theatrical training, with the workings of inner life. I explored and trained with Elisabeth Kubler Ross in grief and loss as well as pursuing and achieving my doctorate.

Since then, my work has radiated outward into a variety of settings and needs, from victims of trauma to the psychological needs of women and people of color, to care for the caregiver retreats for health professionals. As a consultant with Montefiore Hospital’s Healing Arts Department, I address the needs of hospital personnel. I was a CUNY professor for 16 years under the auspices of District 1199 SEIU, teaching various aspects of psychology. I am a playwright in New York City, whose plays have received recognition, most recently, the Mark Plesent Playwriting Award. Please feel free to click on further details on areas of interest to you.