Valerie Harmer
Compassionate, practical support for change
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About Valerie
Valerie Harmer is a counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem and relationship strain. She also supports people facing life changes, parenting pressures, work worries, sleep and eating concerns, and challenges related to ADHD and trauma. Valerie uses clear, practical conversations to help people understand what keeps them stuck and to find steps that move them forward.
Her style is straightforward and collaborative. She asks questions that help map the shape of a problem and uses focused feedback to highlight patterns.
Background and approach
Valerie aims to identify small, realistic changes clients can try between sessions to break unhelpful cycles of behaviour. Valerie draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy in her work. She blends techniques such as behavioural activation and solution-focused brief strategies so the approach fits the issue and the person.
Sessions can be short-term or longer-term depending on the goals agreed together. She studied counselling and CBT psychotherapy to postgraduate level at the University of South Wales, completed a Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy, and trained as a bereavement counsellor with CRUSE.
Valerie has practised for nine years and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which guides her professional standards. Valerie works with clients in the United Kingdom and offers therapy in English. To begin, people use the Start Therapy button, fill in a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to her availability.
At a glance
- Years practising
- 9
- Registered with
- BACP
- Registration number
- 260348
- Languages
- English
- Approaches include
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
- How sessions happen
- Online, by video, phone or messages
Details are as listed on Valerie's public professional profile. You can check any number with the professional body.
What Valerie works with
Everything Valerie lists, in their own terms.
- 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 works online
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions. It uses simple exercises and behavioural activation to help with anxiety, low mood and compulsive behaviours.
Mindfulness Therapy teaches ways to notice thoughts and physical reactions without getting pulled into them. It can help reduce rumination and improve sleep and stress management.
Finding the right blend of these approaches is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and together decide which methods to try. This is a collaborative process and may shift as progress is made.
Practical benefits of online therapy include fitting sessions into a busy week and making it easier to attend from different locations. Confirm which session formats are offered before booking, as the biography does not list specific options. Many people find online sessions helpful for shorter check-ins, focused skill practice, and regular appointments that slot into everyday life.
Questions and answers
What concerns does Valerie help with?
She helps with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship strain, grief, low self-esteem, sleep and eating issues, anger, career worries, and ADHD-related difficulties among other concerns.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
The approach is pragmatic and collaborative, using questions and feedback to identify patterns and practical steps to change unhelpful cycles.
What is her professional background?
She has nine years' experience and has studied counselling and CBT psychotherapy to postgraduate level, plus additional diplomas and bereavement training.
What qualifications or registration does she hold?
She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and follows their code of conduct for practice.
Which languages and regions are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and she practices in the United Kingdom. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm current session options before booking.
How does the cost structure work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What is the process to start working together?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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