Valerie | Counsellor

Registrations

• BACP - The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

I offer therapy in

• ✓ English

Specialisations

• 1. anxiety
• 2. grief
• 3. relationship
• 4. couples
• 5. communication
• 6. childhood emotional neglect
• 7. people pleasing
• 8. expressing feelings - coaching
• 9. decisions
• 10. divorce

Specialisations and Expertises

As an experienced counsellor, I offer steady, compassionate support for a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties. I help individuals navigating anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self worth, stress and difficulties in relationships. My approach brings together empathy, clarity and gentle structure, helping you understand what is affecting you and why, while guiding and coaching you towards healthier coping skills and emotional resilience.

I have a particular interest in Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN). This is a deeply rooted experience that develops when emotional needs are overlooked or misunderstood in childhood. In adulthood, it can show up as chronic emptiness, self doubt, people pleasing, feeling disconnected from your emotions or struggling to form close and secure relationships. Healing from CEN involves learning to recognise, validate and express emotions in a safe therapeutic space, while I support you in rebuilding self worth, inner steadiness and emotional connection.

I also offer support for grief, loss and the emotional impact of terminal or life limiting illnesses. These experiences can feel isolating and overwhelming, and therapy provides a calm, steady space to talk openly, make sense of what you are feeling and learn ways to cope day to day.

Every client’s journey is unique. I tailor therapy to your needs and aims, offering a compassionate and structured approach to emotional healing, personal growth and improving your relationship with yourself and others.

Expected Number of Sessions
The number of sessions varies for each person. I usually recommend an initial assessment session to explore what is bringing you to therapy and to set clear, realistic goals. Sessions can be weekly or fortnightly, depending on your needs, progress and budget. My client centred approach means therapy moves at a pace that feels manageable for you, supporting your journey towards emotional wellbeing, confidence and deeper self understanding, while coaching you in practical strategies that create lasting change.

Most common issues I support people with:

Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN)
Childhood Emotional Neglect occurs when a child’s emotional needs are overlooked or unmet, often leaving adults with low self-worth, difficulty expressing emotions, and struggles in relationships. Signs of CEN can include chronic emptiness, people-pleasing, or feeling disconnected from your own emotions. Healing involves building self-awareness, learning to set healthy boundaries, and practicing recognising and validating your feelings in a safe, supportive space.

Anxiety
I work with clients experiencing different forms of anxiety, including generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and panic. Together, we explore what triggers your anxiety and develop practical strategies to manage it, helping you feel more in control and able to engage fully with your life.

Loneliness
Loneliness can deeply affect emotional wellbeing. I support clients in understanding their feelings of isolation, exploring ways to build meaningful connections, and finding a sense of belonging.

Low Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
Struggling with self-esteem or self-worth is often rooted in past experiences or unmet emotional needs. I help clients uncover the sources of these feelings and work with them to develop self-acceptance, self-compassion, and a more positive sense of themselves.

Grief and Loss
Coping with the death of a loved one or other significant losses can feel overwhelming. I provide a safe and empathetic space to process grief, find meaning, and explore ways to move forward while honouring your experience.

Facing a Terminal Illness
For individuals and families navigating a terminal diagnosis, I offer support to cope with emotional challenges, make difficult decisions, and find connection and meaning during a profoundly difficult time.

Fees

I offer a free 15 minute Zoom or phone consultation so we can get a sense of whether we feel a good fit and whether I am the right person to support you.

For an initial couples session, the fee is slightly higher as this is a 90 minute assessment session, priced at £20 more than the rates listed below. Subsequent sessions can be 60 minutes.

Individual Therapy Fees (60 minutes):
£55 online or in person daytime
£70 online or in person evening

Couples Therapy Fees (60 minutes):
£70 online or in person daytime
£80 online evening
£85 in person evening

Concessions are available depending on circumstances and available times.

For individual counselling, we can meet weekly, fortnightly or monthly depending on your needs, time and budget. Sessions can be 60 or 90 minutes.

For couples counselling, meeting at least fortnightly is recommended, with weekly sessions offering the most momentum. Meeting every three weeks is also possible. The more regularly you attend and engage with the work between sessions, the stronger and more lasting the progress tends to be.

Therapy can be short term or open ended, depending on what you need.

Block Booking Offer  For those who prefer to plan ahead, I offer a simple discounted option:
Book six sessions in advance and receive 10% off the total fee.

This can be used for both couples therapy and individual counselling.

This option often appeals to those wanting steady, continuous work and can support commitment, consistency and progress.

Availability (Opening hours)

Photos

Contact me