In December 2004, after working for 14 years in a series of clinical mental health settings, Ms. Shinbaum fulfilled her dream of becoming self-employed, and that diamond life of self-employment has more than one facet. Ms. Shinbaum is a private practice outpatient psychotherapist with three office locations. She is an adjunct professor of psychology at two area community colleges and one university. She is one of the founders of www.bodymindandbalance.com, an interactive website that began its life as a weekly live local radio show, and for which Ms. Shinbaum was one of the co-hosts. The radio show ran on Saturday afternoons from June 2005-June 2006. The website was launched in December 2006, and its growing following is worldwide. Ms. Shinbaum is currently working on her first book, and is a lecturer on the local and national levels. In August 2007, she was invited by the American Institute of Medical Education to present at their summer conference. The same organization has invited Ms. Shinbaum to present again at their winter conference to be held in December 2008 in Hawaii.
When there is time to spare, Ms. Shinbaum strives to maintain balance in her life. "My astrological sign is Libra - the scales in balance - maybe that's why that word has so much meaning for me."
Look for Ms. Shinbaum somewhere outdoors whenever possible - downhill skiing in snowy weather, sharing a power walk or a hike with friends or solo on local trails, leading weekend bicycle rides for her bicycle club or riding in distance rides for fun or fundraising - she's never too far away from spending time outside.
"Working for myself was at the top of the goal list in my head," says Valerie. Other goals on that list already achieved? Owning a home, publishing articles, traveling whenever possible in the US and abroad, taking cycling trips in Napa, California and Bordeaux, France, cooking and eating all types of food, watching films old and new, listening to and dancing to and singing to music of all kinds and styles, spending quality time with friends and family, taking the time for alone moments to read or think or reflect or dream up new goals for the future!
Keep watching this site for more on Valerie Joy Shinbaum. "I consider myself a 'work in progress,' and this site is too! Thanks for visiting."
