Valerie Hutchinson

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MBACP, Couples Counselling and Individual Counselling
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Chinnor OX39 & Thame OX9
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hello, thanks for clicking on my profile. I understand how tough it can be to reach out to a counsellor based on my own therapy journey. I offer a free 15-30 minute session online or via the phone so we can get to know each other and see if we are a good match, there is no pressure to commit. Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other mental health challenges, I'm here to support you on your path to feeling better.
The therapeutic relationship is so important for positive outcome and is my top priority.  I will put this first and strive to create a space where you feel comfortable to feely express yourself and your feelings. 
As a therapist, my approach is open-minded, practical and step-by-step and tailored to your needs.  I sometime delve into your past to understand patterns you might have running out of awareness and we can work to update them for your benefit for a happier you. 
For couples - how can I help?
I will help bring you closer through making your emotional connections stronger, so you feel safe and secure in your relationship.
Together, we will discover how to communicate more effective. So, you will be able to express any issues clearly and kindly, leading to a better understanding of each other.
I will help you deal with disagreements in a healthier way, therefore arguments will be less intense and happen less often.
We will explore how any unhelpful patterns of behaviour/communication might be negatively impacting your relationship
I will provide a space where your feelings are acknowledged and validated so you both feel understood and valued.
You may not be sure what you need from counselling right now, that’s okay, we will work together to help you find clarity. Whatever your goal, I will tailor the sessions for your unique situation
Together we will work to identify any unhelpful patterns of behaviour or thoughts that might have built up over time. We will work to build a stronger and happier you. Learning to express our feelings in a healthy way to reduce anxiety, stress, depression and connect you to others more deeply.
Grief and Loss can feel overwhelming and like you will never get through it but we can, together we can look at ways of building a life around your grief, not get over it or leave it behind. Grief is something we learn to live with and build a life around. This can be the loss of a partner, child, sibling, job, pet, any loss can feel huge and may be connected to other things. 
Students - happy to offer concessionary rates, i really appreciated this when doing my diploma level 4, I also understand the pressures of that course are immense so can help through that too!
If you feel comfortable and you'd like to explore how we can work together, please schedule a free initial meeting or email me. I'm eager to begin this journey with you!

Training, qualifications & experience

  • CPCAB Level 4 Diploma in ‘Therapeutic Counselling’
  • Specialist Diploma in Couples/Relationship Counselling
  • CPCAB Level 3 Certificate in Counselling Studies   
  • CPCAB Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills

For the last few years I have been, and continue to be, a volunteer counsellor at a day hospice. Where I support individuals and couples through life limiting or terminal diagnosis and those partners who have been bereaved.  I do believe people are able to get through their devastating pain of loss.

My experience has opened me up to dealing with a range of issues including anxiety, low self-esteem/self-worth, grief and loss and depression both in individuals and couples.

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Grief and loss of a partner, relationship, job, pet

Bereavement counselling, the pain of losing a loved one seems insurmountable but together we can overcome this with time and patience.

Fees

£45.00 - £75.00
Free initial telephone or online session

Concessions offered for

  • OAPs
  • Students
  • Trainee counsellors

Additional information

I offer a free 15 minute zoom/phone consultation to see if we feel a good fit and I am the right person for you.  

£45 Individual therapy session online (55 minutes)
£50 Individual therapy session in person (55 minutes)
£55 Couples therapy session online Day Time (55 minutes)
£65 Couples in person Day Time (55 minutes)
£65 Couples session online Evening (55 minutes)
£75 Couples session in person Evening (55 minutes)

Concessions available depending on circumstances and available times.

We can meet once a week, a fortnight, monthly whatever you budget and time restrains allow.


Therapy can be for a limited number of sessions or open ended depending on your needs.

Further information

I am available Monday to Saturday 9-9, Sundays morning or evenings, in person or on zoom.

Chinnor, Oxfordshire, OX39

Thame Barns Centre, Church Road, Thame, Oxfordshire, OX9 3AJ

Type of session

In person
Online
Phone
Home visits

Types of client

Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)
Couples
Groups
Organisations
Employee Assistance Programme

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Online platforms

Zoom

Social