"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).
Speaker
Val speaks nationwide on how to build friendships, fellowships, and community in times of loss, loneliness, and major life changes.
Educator
Val provides lively, interactive classes for seniors and people with disabilities. With word games, trivia, and brain twisters, her “Words Galore” programs spark wit, banter, humor—and, best of all—new friendships.
A contributing blogger for Psychology Today, Val explores the topics of loneliness, breaking out of isolation, and building community. A former rehabilitation counselor based in Boston, Val speaks throughout New England and offers her highly interactive “Words Galore” classes at senior centers, assisted living communities, and community education centers.