Valerie Stanley-Brooks , BACP

Valerie Stanley-Brooks is a UK-credentialed counsellor with over 25 years of professional experience who offers compassionate, evidence-informed support to young people, adults, and couples. As a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), she brings longstanding practice across educational, therapeutic, and voluntary settings, working with people from diverse backgrounds to address emotional and relational challenges.

Her integrative, client-centered approach draws on multiple therapeutic models so that support can be tailored to each person’s needs. Valerie works with a wide range of concerns including stress and anxiety, depression, grief and bereavement, life transitions, anger, parenting and family dynamics, relationship and couples issues, low self-esteem, addictions including alcohol, drugs and gambling, and experiences of abuse and trauma. For couples she focuses on repairing trust, improving communication, rebuilding connection, and strengthening the emotional bond between partners.

Valerie recognises that reaching out for help can take courage. She aims to provide a non-judgmental, supportive space where clients can explore thoughts and feelings at their own pace while working toward practical, sustainable change. She also offers a range of resources and materials to complement therapy. Prospective clients who are curious or ready to begin a therapeutic journey are invited to make contact and explore how counselling can help.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Support

Valerie uses client-centered therapy to create a welcoming, non-judgmental space where the client’s perspective guides the work; this approach helps people who need empathetic listening and support to explore feelings, values, and personal goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, offers practical tools to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and is often helpful for stress, anxiety, low mood, and coping with life changes. Trauma-focused therapy provides focused work on the impact of traumatic experiences, helping clients process difficult memories and reduce their ongoing effects.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and is decided collaboratively. Valerie will work with each person to understand their needs, goals, and preferences and then recommend or combine methods that best fit their situation.

Online therapy with Valerie can take place by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexible options to fit different schedules and circumstances. These formats make it easier to access regular support from licensed professionals without needing to travel, and they allow sessions to be arranged around work, family, or other commitments.