Valerie Thompson
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This professional is available for new clients.
This professional is available for new clients.
About me
I am a couples counsellor and relationship therapist. My work is focussed on helping couples and individuals lead more contented lives.
You may feel the spark has gone from your relationship, navigating a new one or not in a relationship at all. No matter what your circumstance, the chances are, if you are reading this, you have concerns about how you’re relating to others. If you're concerned about any of the following issues in your relationship, I may be able to help you: trust and jealousy, intimacy, family relationships, communication, self-esteem, infidelity, understanding each other, depression and anxiety, separation and divorce.
The aim of counselling is for you to feel a positive change in yourself and relationships. I offer a safe, confidential, professional space for individuals and couples to explore their feelings and work towards a more contented life. I specialise in relationship therapy, working with couples to change patterns of behaviour that have a negative impact on your relationships.
When you contact me, we will have a free telephone discussion about what issues you have, I will then arrange a time for you and your partner to come and discuss this further. If you decide to continue with counselling, then I will arrange individual appointments for you before we start the process of working together to improve your relationship.
Training, qualifications & experience
I have a MA in Relationship Therapy and after working with Relate I now run my own counselling practise. My flexible approach allows me to use a variety of methods and techniques. Based in Leigh-on-Sea, I offer a safe, confidential, professional environment for you to explore your experiences, thoughts and emotions.
As a member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) I abide by their ethical framework and code of conduct. I also have BA in Communications Studies & Sociology from Goldsmith’s College, University of London.
Member organisations
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
I work with individuals and couples to look at the whole picture. I believe that our happiness is linked to our relationships and environment. I will work together with you to enable you to find the strength to make changes that will lead to a more contented life.
Fees
Additional information
£60 for couples
£50 for individuals
When I work
Weekdays and depending on availability, evenings and weekends
Further information
I believe that the pursuit of happiness in our lives and the quality of our relationships go hand in hand. Our desire for love, security and understanding can enrich our lives, but when these desires are in conflict with what you’re actually getting, anxiety, anger, depression and confusion can become overwhelming and can trickle into our working lives as well as our relationships.
As a relationship counsellor, I work with couples and individuals. I focus on breaking patterns of behaviour that may have a negative impact on relationships and life. I will help you concentrate on your own ability to move forward and develop an understanding of what your needs are and how they fit with the people around you.
