	Integrative Counselling Thame 28 Youens Drive OX93ZG Thame
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✓ I also offer online therapy

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Valerie | Qualified Integrative Counsellor

Integrative Counselling Thame

Anxiety is exhausting.
Not just the obvious kind — the panic, the racing thoughts, the fear of losing control — but the quiet, hidden kind too. The kind that keeps you awake at night running through every conversation. The kind that makes you second-guess yourself, constantly asking, “Did I say the wrong thing?” “Did I upset them?” “Am I enough?”

For many people, anxiety is not just about fear. It is about shame, self-doubt, and that unrelenting inner voice that tells you you are doing life wrong. That voice – the inner critic – is loud. And it has likely been with you for a very long time.

Maybe you learned early on to silence your needs, to stay small, to keep the peace. Maybe you had to grow up without the kind of emotional support that helps a child feel truly seen, soothed, and safe. That is childhood emotional neglect (CEN) – and it leaves deep imprints. You can’t always see it, but you can feel it: a sense of emptiness, of not quite belonging, of never feeling truly known.

And when your early world taught you not to trust your feelings, not to expect comfort, or not to be ‘too much’, it makes complete sense that anxiety would show up later. It is not your fault. But it is something you can understand, gently unravel, and begin to heal.

This space is for you — if you are tired of just managing, and ready to understand what is really going on beneath the surface.

Whether you call it anxiety, overthinking, self-doubt, or just feeling not okay… you are not alone. And you do not have to carry it all by yourself anymore.

If you would like to know more or book an appointment, please send me a message via the send a message - button.

Online therapy

Online therapy offers you the chance to explore what is going on inside — gently, safely, and at your own pace — from the comfort of your own space.

Maybe the thought of walking into a therapist’s office feels too exposing. Or perhaps life is busy, and travelling to appointments just is not realistic. Online therapy removes that barrier. All you need is a quiet room and an internet connection.

This is a space just for you. Somewhere you can start to understand why you feel the way you do, untangle the patterns that no longer serve you, and begin to reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been pushed away or silenced.

We meet face to face, over video, wherever you are in the UK. There is no pressure to have it all figured out — just a willingness to begin. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, the voice of the inner critic, or the deep effects of childhood emotional neglect, online therapy can help you feel less alone, more grounded, and more like yourself again.

Qualifications and registrations

I am a qualified therapist with Diplomas in Counselling at Levels 2, 3 and 4, as well as a specialist Diploma in Couples Counselling. My training is grounded in relational, integrative practice – which means I work with you as a whole person, not a list of symptoms.

I am registered with the BACP, a professional counselling body and work in line with their ethical standards, offering a confidential, non-judgemental space where you can explore what is really going on beneath the surface.

I have a particular passion for helping people quieten their inner critic – that harsh, unrelenting voice that can so easily steal our peace – and to make sense of how early emotional experiences may still be shaping how you see yourself, your relationships, and the world around you.

Registrations

BACP - The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

I offer therapy in

✓ English

Specialisations

1. anxiety
2. inner critic
3. self worth
4. childhood emotional neglect
5. shame
6. attachment
7. relational patterns
8. boundaries
9. overthinking
10. emotional regulation

Specialisations and Expertises

I specialise in working with individuals who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, ruled by a harsh inner critic, or quietly weighed down by a deep sense of not being good enough. Many of the people I work with appear to be functioning well on the outside, but inside feel anxious, disconnected, and unsure of who they really are. Often, this links back to early experiences of emotional neglect — where feelings were dismissed, needs were unmet, or comfort was missing.

A large part of my work is helping people understand and quieten the inner critic — that inner voice that constantly tells you you’re not doing enough, not good enough, or too much. It’s often a voice formed early in life as a way to stay safe or feel in control, but it can become deeply limiting and exhausting. Together we work gently to understand where this voice comes from and begin to replace it with something kinder, more truthful, and rooted in self-compassion.

The most common issues I support clients with include:

Generalised anxiety and overthinking
Low self-worth and chronic self-criticism
Childhood emotional neglect (CEN)
Shame and emotional disconnection
Difficulties in relationships, trust, and boundaries

Therapy with me is not a quick fix, but it is a supportive and steady space where change can happen. Some clients come for a few months, others stay longer. Many begin to notice meaningful shifts around the 8–12 session mark — not because everything is ‘solved’, but because they begin to understand themselves more clearly and relate to themselves with greater care and insight.

I offer weekly or fortnightly sessions depending on your needs and what feels manageable for you. There is no pressure — just a space to be real, to explore, and to begin coming home to yourself.

Most common issues I support people with:

Anxiety and Overthinking
That constant feeling of being on edge, worrying about what might happen, struggling to switch off or feel calm — anxiety can take many forms, and we will work together to understand what is driving it for you.

The Inner Critic
Do you speak to yourself in ways you would never speak to someone you care about? That harsh, judging voice inside can leave you feeling not good enough, no matter how hard you try. Therapy can help you quieten it and reconnect with your real voice.

Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN)
Maybe you grew up in a home where your feelings were not noticed, valued or responded to. You might look like you are coping on the outside, but inside feel empty, disconnected or unseen. Together we can begin to make sense of this and heal what was missing.

Low Self-Worth and Shame
You may feel like you are always falling short, or that there is something wrong with you deep down. These feelings often start early and can affect every part of life. Therapy can help you develop a kinder, more grounded relationship with yourself.

Relationship and Intimacy Struggles
Whether you are in a relationship or not, past experiences often shape how safe we feel to connect. You might find it hard to trust, speak up, or feel truly close to others. Together we can explore what is going on underneath and support you in building healthier, more connected relationships.

Therapies offered

Areas of counselling I can help with

Fees

Sessions are 50 minutes long and held in person or online via zoom or google meet

Daytime sessions (before 5pm): £45
Evening sessions (after 5pm): £55

You can choose to come weekly or fortnightly, depending on what feels right for you. There is no fixed number of sessions — some people come for a short period to work through something specific, others stay longer for deeper ongoing support.

If you are unsure whether therapy is right for you at this time, I offer a free 15-minute phone or video call to help you get a sense of how I work and to ask any questions you may have.

Availability (Opening hours)

Monday	9-7
Tuesday	9-7
Wednesday	9-7
Thursday	9-7
Friday	9-7
Saturday	closed
Sunday	closed