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Valerie Harmer

Therapist or counsellor · United Kingdom

Valerie Harmer

BACP

Compassionate, practical counselling for change

  • 9 years' experience
  • Based in United Kingdom
  • Sessions online
  • Speaks English
Continue with Valerie

Opens BetterHelp, where you can review online therapy options and next steps.

  • Practical solution focus
  • BACP member
  • Bereavement support

About Valerie

Valerie Harmer works with people facing stress, anxiety, grief and relationship problems. She helps with low self-esteem, coping with life changes, anger, depression and issues linked to ADHD. Valerie also supports people dealing with bereavement and hospice and end-of-life counselling concerns. She uses a practical, change-focused style. Sessions are collaborative and she asks questions to help clients understand what keeps problems going. Valerie draws on solution-focused ideas alongside Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and mindfulness tools to suggest small steps that can make daily life easier. Valerie has nine years of study and practice. Her training includes postgraduate work in Counselling and CBT Psychotherapy at the University of South Wales and a Diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy. She also trained as a bereavement counsellor with CRUSE. She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, abbreviated as BACP, and follows its code of conduct. That includes regular supervision and ongoing professional development. In sessions Valerie offers both brief and longer-term options depending on the person’s goals. She gives clear feedback and practical exercises to try between meetings. The aim is to break unhelpful cycles and help people move forward in ways that fit their everyday life.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

LGBTFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesDepressionCoachingADHD

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingLife purposeMidlife crisisObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Social anxiety and phobiaSomatizationWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

9+ years

Credentials

BACP · United Kingdom

Languages

English

How Valerie’s approaches translate to online counselling

Valerie practises Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Solution-Focused Therapy alongside mindfulness techniques. CBT helps people recognise unhelpful thoughts and try different behaviours to reduce anxiety or low mood. Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on small, practical changes and on building steps that move people towards their own goals. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple ways to notice thoughts and feelings without getting carried away by them, which can help with stress and sleep problems. Finding the right approach is part of the work. Valerie will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and then shape sessions around what feels most useful. That means trying things, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together so it fits the person’s life. Please confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow follow-up conversations between meetings. It can also support brief check-ins or longer sessions, depending on what is agreed. The focus is on practical strategies and steady progress that can be used in everyday situations.

Frequently asked questions

What issues does Valerie help with?

She supports people with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship concerns, low self-esteem and coping with life changes, among other issues.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is pragmatic and collaborative. She asks questions to clarify patterns and suggests small, practical steps to change unhelpful habits.

What background does she bring to sessions?

Valerie has nine years of study and practice, including postgraduate work in Counselling and CBT Psychotherapy and training in bereavement counselling.

What professional credential does she hold and where does she work?

She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and practises in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Can people outside the UK work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted; sessions are arranged for people within the United Kingdom.

How are fees and payments handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

What are the first steps to begin therapy?

Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

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If you need help now

This directory is not a crisis line, a hospice or an emergency service. If someone is in danger, or a medical situation is getting worse, call the emergency number or the care team looking after them.

United States
Call or text 988
Emergency 911
United Kingdom
Samaritans 116 123
Emergency 999
Australia
Lifeline 13 11 14
Emergency 000

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