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 work with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, low self-worth and challenges in relationships.

My approach combines empathy with gentle structure, helping you understand what is affecting you and why, while supporting you to develop healthier coping strategies, emotional resilience and a stronger sense of self.

I have a particular interest in Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN). This occurs when emotional needs are not fully recognised or responded to in childhood. As an adult, this can show up as chronic emptiness, self-doubt, people-pleasing, difficulty understanding your emotions, or struggling to form secure and fulfilling relationships.

Therapy offers a space to begin recognising and making sense of these patterns. Together, we work towards building self-worth, emotional awareness and a more stable, connected sense of self.

I also support clients with grief and loss, including the emotional impact of terminal or life-limiting illness. These experiences can feel overwhelming and isolating, and therapy provides a calm, supportive space to process what you are going through and find ways to cope day to day.

Every client’s journey is unique. I tailor therapy to your individual needs, offering a balance of emotional support and practical guidance to help you create meaningful and lasting change.

Expected Number of Sessions

The number of sessions varies depending on your needs and goals. Some clients find short-term therapy helpful (6–12 sessions), while others benefit from longer-term, open-ended support.

I usually suggest starting with an initial assessment session to explore what has brought you to therapy and what you would like to achieve. Sessions can be weekly or fortnightly, depending on your preferences, availability and budget.

Therapy moves at a pace that feels manageable for you, supporting your emotional wellbeing, confidence and self-understanding, while helping you develop practical tools that you can carry forward into everyday life.

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.

Individual Therapy Fees (60 minutes):

£55 online or in person daytime
£70 online or 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.

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

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.

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