Valerie Stanley-Brooks, BACP

Valerie Stanley-Brooks is a counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She has worked in the UK for over 25 years and offers calm, practical help for people facing major life changes, stress, anxiety and relationship concerns.

She draws on a range of therapeutic ways of working to meet people where they are. Sessions focus on what matters now - coping strategies, understanding patterns, and building clearer communication. Valerie uses straightforward language and practical tools rather than jargon. Clients can expect a steady, respectful presence and help to set achievable goals.

Her background includes work in education, therapeutic services and voluntary settings. That experience has informed how she supports people with grief, trauma and addictions, alongside worries about parenting, career and family relationships. She also addresses issues like body image, abandonment and the challenges of blended families.

Valerie uses methods that include client-centred listening, cognitive behavioural techniques, psychodynamic thinking, solution-focused work and trauma-focused approaches. These are chosen to suit the person rather than to fit a label. She offers reading, worksheets and practical exercises to reinforce what is learned in sessions.

People who come for help often want clearer thinking and steadier emotions during life transitions. Valerie aims to help clients find manageable steps forward and to rebuild confidence after difficult experiences. If someone wants to explore therapy, she asks them to start with a short questionnaire and schedule a session to see if it feels right.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Client-centred therapy places the person at the heart of the work and starts from what the client brings, helping them feel heard and understood while setting goals that matter. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on practical steps to change unhelpful thinking and behaviour, and can help with anxiety, low mood and coping with life changes. Trauma-focused therapy concentrates on processing distressing experiences in a paced way and on building skills to manage strong emotions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the collaborative process. The therapist will work with the person to decide which methods best fit their needs, goals and preferences, and may adjust the approach as progress is made.

The biography does not specify which online formats are used, so please confirm available session types before booking. Online therapy can help people fit sessions into busy lives, reduce travel time, and make it easier to have shorter check-ins when needed. It can also allow work outside standard hours for those in different time zones. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists can explain practical arrangements and help clients choose an approach that suits their everyday commitments.