Valerie Harmer, BACP

Valerie Harmer offers support for stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, low self-esteem and major life changes. She helps people coping with trauma, eating or sleeping problems, anger, career worries, depression and ADHD. Valerie also supports those dealing with attachment concerns, communication or control issues, and obsessive or compulsive behaviours.

Her style is practical and collaborative. Sessions aim to identify what keeps someone stuck and then try straightforward steps to change those patterns. She asks clear questions, listens without judgement and gives respectful feedback so clients can see what to work on next.

Valerie uses a mix of cognitive behavioural techniques, mindfulness and solution-focused methods. That means talking through thoughts and behaviours, practising skills to manage distress, and setting small goals to build momentum. She offers both short-term and longer-term work depending on each person’s aims.

Valerie trained at postgraduate level in counselling and CBT psychotherapy at the University of South Wales. She also completed a diploma in Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and trained as a bereavement counsellor with CRUSE. She has practised for nine years and keeps up professional development.

She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP, and follows their code of conduct. Sessions are available in the United Kingdom and are delivered in English. People choose video calls, phone, live chat or messaging to suit their schedules.

How Valerie’s approaches work online

Valerie uses cognitive behavioural techniques and solution-focused methods in her online work. Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts and actions affect feelings and teaches practical skills to reduce anxiety, low mood and unhelpful behaviours. Solution-focused work concentrates on small, achievable steps and on what the client wants to change next, which suits people who want clear short-term goals.

Finding the right approach is a joint process. Valerie will discuss your needs, goals and preferences early on and together you will decide which methods to try. The plan can change as you progress, so the work stays tailored to what helps you most.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging to give flexibility. Video lets you have a fuller face-to-face conversation. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or you prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and messaging suit quick check-ins or people who prefer to write. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family and day-to-day life.