Valerie Stanley-Brooks, BACP

Valerie Stanley-Brooks is a UK-credentialed counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the main UK professional association for counsellors and psychotherapists. With 25 years of professional experience, she offers compassionate, evidence-informed counselling and psychotherapy to young people, adults, and couples.

Across her career Valerie has worked in educational, therapeutic, and voluntary settings, supporting people from diverse backgrounds. She works in an integrative way, drawing on multiple therapeutic models so that support is tailored to each person's situation. Her practice is client-centered and holistic, shaped to address what matters most to the individual or couple she is working with.

Valerie helps with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, trauma and abuse, addictions, low self-esteem, relationship and family problems, parenting challenges, eating and sleeping difficulties, anger, career and life changes, and compassion fatigue. She also addresses more specific areas such as abandonment, adoption and foster care issues, autism and Asperger Syndrome, blended family dynamics, body image, and fatherhood issues. For couples she focuses on repairing trust, improving communication, rebuilding connection, and strengthening emotional bonds.

Valerie recognises that seeking therapy can feel daunting and values a collaborative, non-judgmental approach. She provides practical resources and materials to support progress alongside therapy. If someone is ready to explore how counselling or psychotherapy could help, Valerie is available to discuss next steps and offer support along the way.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Valerie draws on client-centered therapy to place the person's experience at the heart of the work - the therapist listens deeply, follows the client's pace, and helps people explore feelings and choices in a supportive environment. This approach is often helpful for issues like low self-esteem, relationship problems, and navigating life changes.

She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help people identify and shift unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour. CBT can be useful for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and practical coping strategies for everyday challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Valerie works collaboratively with each person to determine what will best meet their needs. Together they consider the client's goals, preferences, and the practicalities of life to build a tailored plan that may combine elements from different approaches.

Online therapy with Valerie is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for people with busy schedules or those who live some distance away. These options make it easier to fit regular support into life and to maintain continuity of sessions while working toward meaningful change with a registered professional.