About - Valerie Cooksley

"RETURNING HEALING TO THE PROFESSION OF NURSING."

While growing up on a farm in the Berkshires Valerie learned to appreciate the miracles of nature and the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. During her years as a RN, Valerie became one of the first nurses in the U.S. to be certified through the Oncology Nurses Society. As an Oncology Nurse and Infectious Diseases Nurse, Valerie studied the effects of lifestyle on illness and became a lecturer for the American Red Cross and American Cancer Society. Convinced that it is wisest to work with natural forces rather than against them, Valerie pursued studies in holistic health, including botanical and Ayurvedic medicine. Valerie's mission is to return healing to the profession of nursing by teaching holistic and integrated methodologies to fellow health professionals.

Valerie has seven years experience in the hospital and clinical setting as a Registered Nurse. She has held positions as Radiation Oncology Nurse, Oncology Nurse RN II and as an Isolation/Infectious Diseases Nurse. Valerie has worked at the high-end of Cancer treatment, administering experimental chemotherapy, assisted with radiation implantation, as well as help start up satellite clinics for out patient cancer treatment. Places of employment included O'Connor Hospital in San Jose, CA and Swedish Hospital Medical Center Tumor Institute in Seattle, WA which is affiliated with The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Valerie was a Lecturer/Instructor for the American Red Cross - CPR Instructor, American Cancer Society - Breast Self-Exam Instructor, and Lecturer for the "I Can Cope" Series for cancer patients and their families. Presently, Valerie lectures to the public, as well as health professionals on Holistic Health education, with Aromatherapy being the primary focus.She has been teaching for over twenty years in related health fields including aromatherapy, holistic and natural healthcare, botanical medicine and stress management.

She has studied botanical medicine at Bastyr University in Seattle Washington among other complimentary therapies such as Ayurvedic medicine and Homeopathy, Flower Essence Therapy, Nutrition, Bio-Energetics, Mind/Body Medicine, Yoga, Chi Kung and Developmental Movement. Valerie continues to increase her knowledge and personal training by updating her skills with continuing self-study and intensive instruction with respected holistic physicians, aroma practitioners, medical herbalists and chemists.

Valerie has authored several books on Natural Health:

Seaweed: Nature's Secret to Balancing Your Metabolism, Fighting Disease, and Revitalizing Body & Soul, Stewart, Tabori, & Chang, 2007.
Aromatherapy: A Lifetime Guide to Healing with Essential Oils, Prentice Hall, 1996.
Natural Healing with Aromatherapy, Prentice Hall, 1996.
Comforting Scents: Your Personal Aromatherapy Journal, Simon and Schuster, 1998.
Aromatherapy: Soothing Remedies to Restore, Rejuvenate and Heal, Prentice Hall Press, 2002.
Healing Home Spa, Avery Publishing, January 2003.

Contributing Author of:

International Journal of Aromatherapy, Harcourt International, 2003.
Massage Magazine, 1999 to present (2005).
Essential Oils and Cancer, Terra Linda Scent and Image, 2000.
Doctor's Remedies for Natural Health, Rodale Press, 1998.
New Choices in Natural Healing for Women, Rodale Press, 1997.
The Women's Encyclopedia of Natural Healing, Rodale Press, 1997.

Interviews, articles and book reviews:

Massage Magazine, 1/05;
International Journal of Aromatherapy, Issue 14 (2004);
Chicago Tribune, 1/18/04;
Herbs for Health, 3/04;
Massage Magazine, 5/04;
Evolving Ideas TV, 1/04;
AZNet News 1/04;
Taste for Life, 12/04;
Natural Health, 7/04;
Complete Woman, 10/04;
Let's Live, 12/04;
New Living, 12/03;
Fitness, 9/03;
Health, 10/03;
Let's Live, 11/03;
Body & Soul, 9/10- 2003;
Women's Health & Fitness, 10/03;
Spa Finder, 9/10 2003;
Healing Lifestyle & Spas, 9/10 2003;
Reader's Digest, 9/2003;
Taste for Life, 10/03, 11/03 and 12/03; Massage Magazine, 7/03;
Energy Times, 4/02;
Healing Retreats, 7/02;
New Times, 3/2001;
Child Magazine, 3/2000;
Energy Times, 10/2000;
Massage Magazine, 4/01, 11/01, 5/00, 9/00,
Natural Living Today, 1/99;
King County Journal Newspapers Sunday Journal, 2/8/98 ;
Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Issue #172 11/97;
Health Beat, 4/97;
San Diego Union Tribune, 9/16/96 ;
Pacific Magazine, The Seattle Times Magazine, 6/16/96 ;
The Aromatic Thymes, Vol. 4 #2, 1996;
Common Ground, Vol. XI, #6, 6/96;
Natural Awakenings, 7/96;
Energy Times, 11/96;
Men's Health Confidential, Rodale Press Publication, 6/96;
Issaquah Press, 6/93;
Sports and Adventure Magazine, 7/93;
Well Being Journal, 10/93;
Holistic Health NEWS, 12/93.

Numerous appearances on national television and radio stations speaking on natural health topics and educating the public regarding essential oil and herbal extract benefits and safe practices. Appearances include

America's Talking, CNBC, New Jersey
KIRO News at Noon, Seattle WA
PAX TV Evolving Ideas, Seattle, WA
Gary Null's Natural Living,
and the nationally syndicated Here's to Your Health radio show