"Hope is being able to see
that there is light despite
all of the darkness." - Desmond Tutu
Meet Valerie
Aspire Counseling Services Founder & Counselor
Welcome!
I’m Valerie Fincher, a dually licensed counselor (M.S.S.C. and LPC) serving Douglas County and beyond. My life is richly blessed by my husband, Dr. Chad Fincher, and our two incredible daughters, now 22 and 25. After 33 years together—including nearly three decades of marriage—we’ve built a family rooted in a shared passion for uplifting children and families in our community.
My counseling journey began in 1996, where I initially focused on supporting couples, marriages, and children. In 2010, I shifted my expertise to adolescents and families, serving as a school counselor and department chair. This experience inspired me to launch Aspire Counseling Services in 2018, driven by a mission to offer hope and healing to a wider audience.
Together with my husband, I co-founded Aspire Hope for Kids, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing free, trauma-focused therapy to children and adolescents. By partnering with schools, this initiative bridges critical gaps in mental health care, delivering services at no cost to families or districts while also training school counselors to pursue dual licensure. Through this work, we’re committed to bringing hope and restoration to children, families, and communities.
Learn more about Aspire Hope for Kids here
Before my time as a school counselor, I spent eight years teaching at a non-public high school designed for students with emotional challenges. Those years deepened my understanding of the complex struggles young people face, shaping my approach to counseling with empathy and insight.
Life’s challenges touch us all, but with patience, perseverance, and the right support, we can face them head-on rather than let them define us. My goal is to walk alongside my clients, fostering resilience and igniting hope for a brighter, more fulfilling future.
Specialities
Anxiety
Anxiety is the most common mental disorder, affecting nearly 30% of adults at some point in their lives—and the number of those impacted continues to rise, with more than 19% experiencing it in the past year alone.
Feeling anxious can be a normal, healthy response to certain situations, like taking a test or giving a speech. However, it becomes a disorder when nervousness or worry intensifies into excessive fear and anxiety... Read more
Child/Adolescent
Tough times can feel especially overwhelming for children and teens. They’re still learning to recognize, understand, and respond to their emotions.
Counseling provides guidance and equips young people with healthy coping skills they can rely on throughout their lives.
I bring many years of experience helping children, adolescents, and their families navigate life’s challenges. Together, we can build a solid foundation for emotional well-being.
Coping Skills
Depression
Depression can range from mild, barely noticeable symptoms to severe cases that disrupt daily life. Without treatment, it can also lead to other health concerns.
It’s a common condition—affecting over 264 million people worldwide and around 7% of Americans annually... Read More
School Issues
Kids and teens face a wide range of challenges, from bullying and peer pressure to difficulties at home or in the classroom.
They may not know when or how to ask for help—or may not even realize they need it. Without support, issues often surface at school... Read More
Stress
Kids and teens face a wide range of challenges, from bullying and peer pressure to difficulties at home or in the classroom.
They may not know when or how to ask for help—or may not even realize they need it. Without support, issues often surface at school...
Read More