About me
Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stressed, stuck or struggling in relationships can feel exhausting and isolating, but you do not have to face things alone. You may be finding it difficult to cope with changes in relationships, family life or work, or feeling emotionally overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. Reaching out for support can be the first step towards understanding yourself more clearly and creating positive change.
I offer a warm, safe, professional and non-judgmental space where adults and couples can safely explore their thoughts and feelings, gain understanding and begin moving forward at their own pace.
I am a Counsellor/Psychotherapist and EMDR Accredited Consultant with over 25 years’ experience working within both NHS and private practice settings. I work with adults offering both individual therapy and couples counselling for a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns.
Alongside counselling and psychotherapy, I also offer EMDR therapy — an evidence-based therapy used to help with trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), as well as anxiety, panic attacks, fears, phobias and distressing life experiences.
Therapy can help you feel more understood, more confident in yourself and better able to cope with life’s challenges.
I am an accredited and registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and an EMDR Accredited Consultant with EMDR UK Association.
Areas I Commonly Work With:
- Anxiety and panic attacks (including high functioning anxiety)
- Trauma and PTSD
- Workplace stress and burnout
- Bereavement, grief and loss
- Depression and low mood
- Low self-esteem, self-worth and confidence issues
- Relationship difficulties, affairs, separation, divorce and blended family challenges
- Abuse and emotional trauma
- Anger management
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Phobias and fears
- Identity and sexuality issues
- Overthinking and constant worry
- Emotional overwhelm
- Support for ADHD and autism
As an EMDR Accredited Consultant, I have extensive experience supporting clients affected by trauma, anxiety and distressing life experiences. I also provide supervision for other EMDR therapists.
EMDR therapy can help clients process traumatic memories and reduce the emotional impact of difficult experiences in a safe and structured way.
Jesmond Therapy Centre
I am also the Centre Director of Jesmond Therapy Centre, where I have been based for over 17 years.
The Centre provides a safe, welcoming and well-established therapeutic environment for adults, couples, children, young people and families.
We have a network of over 40 experienced and qualified independent practitioners offering a wide range of therapies including:
- Counselling and Psychotherapy
- Couples and Family Therapy
- Child and Young Person Therapy
- CBT Therapy
- EMDR Therapy
- Mindfulness-based approaches
- Counselling Psychology
- Hypnotherapy
- Life Coaching
- Clinical Supervision
We welcome both neurodivergent and neurotypical clients and aim to provide an inclusive, supportive and non-judgmental environment. Several therapists within the Centre have experience supporting clients with ADHD, autism, anxiety, emotional overwhelm, burnout, social exhaustion and relationship difficulties.
Where appropriate, we are often able to help match clients with a therapist suited to their individual needs, preferences and availability.
Practical Information
The Centre is open:
Monday to Thursday: 10am – 9pm
Saturday: 10am – 5pm
We offer daytime, evening and Saturday appointments.
The Centre is easily accessible by public transport, with bus routes nearby and Jesmond and West Jesmond metro stations within walking distance. Free on-street parking is also available nearby.
We have therapists who also provide counselling services for companies, Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) and insurance referrals.
Please note that our therapy rooms are currently located on the first and second floors and accessed via stairs only, which may unfortunately limit accessibility for some clients. If you would like to discuss suitability or alternative arrangements, please contact us and we will do our best to help.
My Background and Experience
I hold a Masters Degree in Counselling from Durham University.
My counselling experience was gained through working within NHS Primary Care services in Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside GP practices, supporting clients with a wide range of emotional and psychological concerns.
My couples counselling experience was developed through specialist training and work with Relate. I have also worked within specialised cross-cultural counselling services, supporting people from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities.
Taking the First Step
Starting therapy can sometimes feel daunting, but support is available.
If you are unsure which type of therapy or therapist may be right for you, we would be happy to help guide you. There is no pressure to commit to ongoing therapy immediately, and I understand that making first contact can sometimes feel difficult.
If you would like to discuss counselling, psychotherapy, EMDR therapy, Couples Counselling, CBT therapy or would simply like guidance on what support may be most suitable, please feel free to get in touch.
Contacting me
Please feel free to email me or contact our reception team on 0191 281 2167 for an informal discussion with no obligation.
You can press the 'email me' button at the top of this page or please email me direct on val@jesmondtherapycentre.co.uk
Further information about me, the Centre and the therapies available can also be found at:
https://jesmondtherapycentre.co.uk/
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Training, qualifications & experience
- EMDR Europe Accredited Consultant
- BACP Accredited Counsellor (+25 years)
- Masters (MA) in Education and Counselling
- Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Certificate in Couple Counselling - Relate
- EMDR Consultants Certificate
- EMDR Accreditation Certificate
- Certificate's in Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) Part 1 - 4
- Certificate in Supervision
- Advanced Certificate in Counselling
- Certificate in Counselling
- Experience of Psychodrama Workshops
- Degree in BSc Human Organisations
- Certificate in Careers Guidance
- Certificate in Education (Teaching)
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
For further information, please email me, call 0191 281 2167 or visit www.jesmondtherapycentre.co.uk
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£79.00 - £96.00
Concessions offered for
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Prices (50 Minute Sessions)
Adult Counselling/Psychotherapy: £79.00
Child/Young People Counselling (9 plus): £79.00
Couples: £96.00
Family: £135.00
EMDR: From £96.00
CBT: From £96.00
Students: £74 individual Counselling from second sessions onwards
Counselling Psychology: £116.00
When I work
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Further information
If you would like more information please email me (Val) or call Jesmond Therapy Centre on 0191 281 2167 and speak to one of our reception team
