Val is a contributing blogger for Psychology Today and the author of The Art of Comforting: What to Say and Do for Others in Distress (Penguin/Random House, 2010). With a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University, she has explored and developed the practice of comforting others since facilitating her first support group in 1993 for people living with cancer. Reaching isolated and disadvantaged communities for twenty-four years, she has organized and led support groups, outreach initiatives, and training programs for people living with serious illness, disability, grief, and trauma. Tune in to Beyond 50: America's Variety Talk Radio Show on the natural, holistic, green and sustainable lifestyle. Visit Beyond 50 Radio (https://www.Beyond50Radio.com) and sign up for our Exclusive Updates.