Accepting new clients

Hello, I’m Valerie, a fully qualified and experienced Couples Counsellor. I hold a Specialist Diploma in Relationship Counselling and I am accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

I am passionate about supporting couples to build stronger, healthier, and more sustainable relationships. My work is guided by the Developmental Model which recognises that relationships naturally move through stages of closeness, difference, and growth. Conflict is not a sign of failure; it is often a doorway to deeper understanding, emotional maturity, and connection.

In our sessions, I take a practical, step-by-step approach. We start by exploring what you both want from therapy—whether that is reconnecting, repairing trust, improving communication, or navigating the possibility of separation with care. If you’re unsure of what you want yet, that’s perfectly okay. Together, we will work to bring clarity. Every couple is different, and your sessions will always be tailored to your unique circumstances.

We will look gently at the patterns that may have built up over time—repeated arguments, withdrawal, or miscommunication—and create space for both of you to express how you feel and be truly heard. At the same time, you will learn how to listen to one another with curiosity and empathy, even when it is uncomfortable.

Our goal is to help you build a stronger, happier connection. This may include learning to express feelings in ways that bring you closer, managing differences with confidence, setting healthier boundaries, and reconnecting emotionally and physically. Growth in a relationship does not mean losing your individuality; it means learning to stay connected while being fully yourself.

You can trust that I will not judge, take sides, or assign blame. Our space is safe, confidential, and respectful, so you can explore openly and make decisions about your relationship with clarity and compassion.

I specialise in working with couples at all stages of their relationship, whether you are feeling stuck in recurring arguments, experiencing emotional distance, or uncertain about the next step.

Alongside my private practice, I have supported people through trauma, grief, and major life changes at organisations such as South Bucks Hospice and Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre. These experiences have strengthened my ability to remain calm, steady, and present, even when conversations feel intense or emotionally charged—a quality that is invaluable in couples therapy.

Before training as a therapist, I worked for many years at the University of Oxford in a role that demanded discretion, diplomacy, and clear communication. These skills now underpin my approach to working with couples, particularly when trust has been strained or miscommunication has built up over time.