About Valerie
Valerie Harmer is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief and low self-esteem. She also supports those coping with life changes, issues linked to LGBT identity, trauma and abuse, eating or sleeping problems, anger, career concerns and depression. Valerie offers practical, question-led sessions aimed at helping people understand what keeps them stuck and how to move forward.
Her style is collaborative and pragmatic. Valerie asks detailed questions so people can spot the patterns that maintain their difficulties.
Background and approach
She gives straightforward feedback and works with clients to set clear goals and small steps for change. This approach is offered both in brief focused work and in longer-term therapy depending on individual needs. Valerie uses a mix of approaches drawn from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, mindfulness and Solution-Focused methods.
She also brings techniques related to behavioural activation and solution-focused brief therapy to help with motivation and breaking unhelpful routines. Sessions can include practical exercises and things to try between meetings. She has studied counselling and CBT psychotherapy to postgraduate level at the University of South Wales and completed a Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy at the Clifton Practice in Bristol.
Valerie trained as a bereavement counsellor with CRUSE and has worked in the field for nine years. Valerie is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which informs her professional practice and supervision. She works from the United Kingdom and conducts sessions in English.
What Valerie works with
Everything Valerie lists, in their own terms. LGBT is the reason Valerie is listed here; the rest shows what else Valerie works with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Depression
- Coaching
- ADHD
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counselling
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Phobias
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Somatization
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Valerie lists
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
How Valerie’s approaches work in online therapy
Valerie uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution-Focused methods alongside mindfulness techniques. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and offers practical experiments to change unhelpful patterns. Solution-Focused work concentrates on small, achievable steps and on what people want to do differently in the near future. Mindfulness therapy introduces simple ways to become more present and to reduce reactivity through short exercises that can be practised between sessions.Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Valerie discusses goals, preferences and daily routines with each person and then tries methods that fit those needs. Sessions are collaborative so the plan can be adjusted as people learn what helps them most.
The practical advantages of online therapy include easier fitting of sessions into a busy week and being able to meet without travel. Please confirm the current session formats and scheduling options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online sessions can make it simpler to have brief check-ins, fit a session into a lunch break or avoid travel time while still working on concrete changes and skills.
Questions people ask about Valerie
What concerns does Valerie help with?
Valerie supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems and grief. She also works with issues such as self-esteem, eating and sleeping problems, anger, ADHD and LGBT-related concerns.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is collaborative and pragmatic, focusing on questions that reveal what keeps problems going. Sessions aim to set clear goals and practical steps to help people move forward.
How long has she practised counselling?
She has nine years of experience in counselling and related therapeutic work, including postgraduate study in counselling and CBT psychotherapy.
What credentials and location apply?
Valerie is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and works from the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin sessions?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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