Valerie Locke was born in Huntsville, Alabama. She then moved to Detroit, Michigan, where her father worked as an engineer and mother was a teacher. When she was a teenager her parents divorced and she moved with her mother to Houston, Texas. Valerie knew she wanted to help people after her first Psychology class in ninth grade. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University in East Texas. This is also were she meet her husband, David, who is a Physics teacher at Boerne High School. She has a daughter in high school and a son in college.

Upon graduation with Master’s degree in Psychology she and her husband moved to San Antonio, Texas. Valerie got her license as a Psychological Associate. Valerie worked at Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital with individuals who had a brain injury. Her work entailed conducting neuropsychological evaluations to assist individuals by providing them with knowledge in how they could be more independent. However, Valerie also wanted to provide counseling services. So she went back to school and got her license as a Professional Counselor.

Valerie then worked for twelve years at University Hospital, a level one trauma facility. There she worked with a wide array of people with many different types of injuries and trauma. While working in a hospital setting she learned to work with individuals and their families during one of the most difficult times of their life.Along with Valerie’s passion to work with people is her interest in the brain. Understanding how the brain functions enables people to get what they want- freedom. Valerie then went to work at NeuroRestorative Rehabilitation Center. There she was able to develop programs to better serve individuals experiencing brain injury and trauma. Valerie does have family members who have served; including, her uncle who served in the Air Force, father-in-law who served in the Army, and her son who is currently attending the Merchant Marine Academy, in New York.

My Why:

I have always respected individuals who serve our community and country. I am in awe of people who are fearless and run toward danger and not away from it. It takes a special person to do that. I want to be able to give back to people who have given so much. I am at Warriors Heart because I to serve those who serve others.