Counsellor profile
Valerie Stanley-Brooks, BACP
Counsellor - stress and relationships
See online counselling options- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Trauma-focused work
About Valerie
Counsellor Valerie Stanley-Brooks is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She has 25 years of experience and works with issues such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and family concerns, intimacy issues, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, anger, career change, and ADHD. Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients.
Valerie has worked in education, therapeutic and voluntary settings over her career. That variety has given her practical experience with many kinds of life problems. She draws on several approaches so she can respond to what each person actually needs in a session.
Her methods include client-centred work, cognitive behavioural approaches, psychodynamic thinking, solution-focused techniques and trauma-focused work. In practice this can mean listening to the immediate issue, looking at patterns of thought and behaviour, and tracing how past experiences affect present feelings and relationships.
Valerie describes her work as collaborative. She uses structured tools when useful and open conversation where that is more helpful. She also shares worksheets and materials to support progress between sessions.
Practical matters are handled directly. Charges vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. To begin, users are asked to select the See online counselling options button, fill a short matching questionnaire and arrange a first session.
How Valerie’s approaches are used for online counselling
Client-Centred Therapy focuses on the person in the room. The counsellor listens carefully, reflects what is said and helps the client find their own solutions. It suits people who need space to talk and make sense of feelings.Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions. It uses practical exercises and homework to change unhelpful thinking and patterns. This approach is often used for anxiety, low mood and some kinds of stress-related problems.
Trauma-Focused Therapy addresses the effects of traumatic experiences. It combines careful conversation with techniques to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. It is used when past events continue to cause strong reactions now.
Deciding which approach to use is part of the work. Valerie will talk with the client about their needs, goals and what feels right. She will suggest ways forward and together they choose methods to try, adjusting them as progress is made.
Practical benefits of online counselling include fitting sessions around work, study or family life and avoiding travel time. If you plan to proceed, confirm the current session formats before booking so you know whether video, phone or another arrangement is offered. Online sessions can make it easier to keep appointments and to use worksheets and exercises between meetings.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, relationship and family issues, parenting strain, anger, career change and ADHD.
What style of counselling does she use?
She uses client-centred, cognitive behavioural, psychodynamic, solution-focused and trauma-focused approaches. The choice depends on the issue and what the client prefers.
How much experience does she have?
Valerie has 25 years of professional experience across educational, therapeutic and voluntary settings.
Which professional body is she a member of?
She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and international clients are accepted.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking as the biography does not list specific formats.
How are sessions charged?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.