Valerie Fowke

I currently have no availability to take on new clients.

Thank you for visiting my profile page.

Taking the first step in seeking counselling support can feel scary and confusing, as you search for a counsellor you feel will be able to help you. If you are reading this, then you have been courageous in acknowledging that you or a family  member need support and are now on the first stepping stone to accessing and receiving help.

If life currently feels a bit of a struggle for you or you have a experienced an incident or event that is affecting how you are managing and coping with daily life, you are not alone and counselling can help.

Talking through your concerns with a counsellor will allow you the time and space to reflect, discuss and process the feelings and thoughts relating to your experiences. This increases your awareness and understanding of the factors that have contributed to your difficulties and can help in identifying ways in which to manage and move through your challenges.

Changes that naturally occur through life such as parenthood, adolescence, change in work roles, menopause, retirement, bereavement, and loss including loss of relationships, loss to suicide, separation and divorce can all contribute and impact on how individuals feel and function on a daily basis. 

As an Integrative counsellor I aim to provide a warm, empathic and non judgemental relationship with you that promotes a sense of safety and trust. This will hopefully encourage you to feel able to share your concerns and explore the challenges you may be struggling to overcome. This can include present and historic  experiences, relationships, illness and life events that may have contributed to your current difficulties.  

My ability to listen, hear and support you to express, process and make sense of your difficulties within a nurturing therapeutic relationship can support a progression in your functioning in everyday life and wellbeing.

As an integrative therapist I incorporate different aspects of counselling therapies within my practice, which provide a ‘best fit’ for the individuals I support. Person centred therapy sits at the core of my therapeutic approach. This therapy places the client at the centre of their counselling experience and holds the belief that every person has the ability and capacity to overcome and resolve their issues, supported by a relationship that conveys a sense of warmth, trust, and empathy.

The development of the relationship between us will be instrumental in supporting change for you. This will hopefully enable you to talk about, and work through the challenges that life currently presents for you.I will gently encourage you to discuss and explore your experiences at a pace and depth that is tolerable for you. My sessions are predominately talking therapy and may include some activities and tasks that help promote your understanding of your issues and how they are being maintained and can be managed.

I offer in person counselling from premises based in Bromsgrove town centre, and online or telephone counselling. The choice of how you access your counselling is yours and is agreed with you as part of the initial telephone conversation we have. 

The room used for in person counselling is accessed via a small amount of steps to the entrance.

I offer a free 20-minute phone call to briefly discuss your counselling needs and allow us to get to know each other a little. 

If we both agree that I may be able to support you, our first session will be an in-depth consultation regarding your concerns and therapeutic goals. The consultation will explore your reasons for seeking counselling and provide a brief overview of your issues. We will also consider any issues or possible barriers that may affect your engagement and participation in the counselling process. This helps ensure that you get the most out of counselling and are able to commit and engage in the sessions.

You will be asked to sign a contact outlining the terms of our sessions together, this will include specifics relating to confidentiality, and privacy as well as agreed times and frequency of sessions. 

Payment will be required for the first and subsequent sessions and is requested prior to commencement of the session via BACS.

Please email me on the address above if you would like me to contact you to discuss  your needs and for you to get a sense of whether I am the right counsellor for you. 

I look forward to hearing from you.