- Solution focused
- CBT informed
- BACP member
About Valerie
Valerie Harmer is a counsellor who helps people facing stress, anxiety, sleep problems and relationship strain. She also supports those dealing with grief, low self-esteem, parenting pressures and life changes. Valerie works collaboratively and focuses on practical steps to help people feel steadier and more in control.
Valerie uses a solution-focused style that looks for small changes with big effects. She asks questions to clarify what is keeping a difficulty going and to spot what already helps. Sessions can be brief or longer term depending on a person’s goals and what they want to change.
Over nine years she has studied counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to postgraduate level at the University of South Wales. She also completed a diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and trained with CRUSE as a bereavement counsellor. Valerie is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, which guides her professional practice.
In sessions she offers respectful feedback, practical suggestions and follow-up ideas to try between meetings. Her approach mixes elements of CBT, mindfulness and solution-focused techniques to target thoughts, daily habits and coping routines. She aims to make therapy straightforward and useful for everyday life.
People who choose Valerie can expect a calm, questioning style and an emphasis on realistic, step-by-step change. If someone wants to explore sleep and rest, relationship issues, trauma or career concerns, she will work with them to set clear goals and practical next steps.
How Valerie uses CBT, mindfulness and solution-focused work online
Valerie draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and test small behaviour changes that can improve sleep and mood. CBT offers clear, structured steps such as activity planning and thought records to break cycles that feed anxiety and low mood.She also uses mindfulness techniques to help people slow down and rebuild steadier routines. Mindfulness practice in short exercises can make it easier to manage racing thoughts at night and improve rest over time. Solution-focused work concentrates on what is already working and on setting practical goals that move someone towards the life they want.
Choosing the right approach is a joint process. Valerie will listen to someone’s priorities, try out techniques, and adjust the plan as they go. The aim is to agree on realistic goals and simple experiments between sessions.
If you are considering online sessions, please confirm the current session options before booking as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy around daily life, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time so sessions can happen from wherever is most convenient. Registered or accredited professionals can adapt exercises and homework to suit remote work and everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
9+ years
Credentials
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Valerie help with?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, sleep difficulties, relationship and family problems, grief, low self-esteem, anger, eating concerns, ADHD and related issues.
How would she describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is pragmatic and collaborative, focusing on small changes that reduce unhelpful patterns and build coping skills.
What experience does she have?
Valerie has worked in counselling for nine years and has studied counselling and CBT psychotherapy to postgraduate level.
What professional credentials and location are listed?
She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to book with her?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.