Valerie | Individual and Couples Counsellor

Registrations

• BACP - The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

I offer therapy in

• ✓ English

Specialisations

• 1. Communication problems
• 2. Conflict & frequent arguments
• 3. Intimacy and connection issues
• 4. Trust issues & rebuilding trus
• 5. Life transitions, challenges
• 6. Emotional regulation
• 7. Attachment & patterns
• 8. Infidelity & betrayal recovery
• 9. Parenting & co-parenting
• 10. Couples growth & development

Specialisations and Expertises

I work with individuals and couples who want to understand their patterns, navigate complex emotions, and create meaningful, lasting change. My areas of expertise include:

1. Communication difficulties – Helping partners notice their patterns, express themselves clearly, and feel truly heard. Many couples see positive changes within 6–8 sessions.

2. Conflict and recurring arguments – Supporting couples to explore underlying triggers, develop calmer ways of disagreeing, and break unhelpful cycles. 8–12 sessions often allow meaningful progress.

3. Intimacy and connection issues – Rebuilding emotional and physical closeness, exploring blocks, and practising ways to nurture authentic connection. 8–12 sessions can help restore closeness.

4. Trust and relationship wounds – Working through betrayals, breaches, or past hurts to gradually rebuild trust and safety. This can be longer-term work, often 12+ sessions depending on the depth of wounds.

5. Life transitions and shared challenges – Supporting couples through parenthood, career changes, relocation, or other major shifts, helping them adapt and strengthen partnership. 6–10 sessions often provide effective support.

6. Emotional regulation in relationships – Helping clients notice triggers, manage intense emotions, and respond rather than react, creating calmer, more supportive dynamics. 6–10 sessions can establish practical strategies.

7. Attachment and relational patterns – Exploring how past experiences shape current relationships and building awareness to develop healthier connection styles. This is often ongoing work, 8–12+ sessions.

8. Infidelity and betrayal recovery – Guiding couples through shock, grief, and rebuilding trust after affairs or breaches, in a contained, collaborative way. Typically 12+ sessions depending on complexity.

9. Parenting and co-parenting dynamics – Supporting couples to manage differences in parenting approaches, communicate effectively, and create shared strategies that work for the family. 6–10 sessions are often sufficient.

10. Couples growth and personal development – Helping couples not only solve problems but deepen understanding, connection, and mutual support, fostering long-term growth. The number of sessions varies depending on goals.

Each area is approached collaboratively, reflectively, and with a focus on practical, lasting change. Every journey is tailored to your needs, pace, and the work you are ready to do

Most common issues I support people with:

1. Communication difficulties

Many couples struggle to express their needs or feel heard, leading to misunderstandings, frustration, or disconnection. I help partners notice their communication patterns, understand underlying emotions, and practise more constructive ways of speaking and listening so they feel closer and more understood.

2. Conflict and recurring arguments
Frequent or unresolved arguments can leave couples feeling stuck or distant. I support couples to uncover the patterns behind conflicts, explore what each person really needs, and develop tools to approach disagreements with curiosity, calm, and collaboration rather than tension or avoidance.

3. Loss of intimacy and connection
When emotional or physical closeness fades, couples can feel lonely even when together. I work with partners to explore what intimacy means to each of them, address emotional blocks, and rediscover ways to connect, share, and nurture their relationship in a way that feels authentic and sustainable.

4. Trust and relationship wounds
Betrayal, breaches of trust, or long-standing hurts can create tension and distance. I provide a safe space to explore these experiences, process emotions, and rebuild trust gradually. Together, we work on repairing connection and developing practices that foster safety, honesty, and reliability.

5. Life transitions and shared challenges
Major life changes — such as moving house, becoming parents, career shifts, or health challenges — can place strain on relationships. I help couples navigate these transitions, clarify expectations, and strengthen teamwork and support, so changes become opportunities for growth rather than sources of conflict.

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.

Couples Therapy Fees (60 minutes):

£70 online or in person daytime
£80 online evening
£85 in person evening

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.

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