Vanessa | Counsellor & Psychotherapist, MBACP

Life can sometimes feel overwhelming, confusing, or simply too much. You might be living with anxiety, depression, low mood, or stuck in patterns that leave you feeling frustrated or disconnected from loved ones, your daily life, or even from yourself. You may feel lonely, find it hard to trust, and wonder if things will ever feel manageable again. I work with a wide range of experiences, and I have particular knowledge and experience in the following areas:Loneliness, Anxiety, Trauma, Dating Patterns, Relationship Issues, Parenting & Neurodivergence, but I’m here to support you with whatever you might be facing. In addition, I also provide supportive Therapy for teenagers aged 13 and above, along with Parent–child sessions and Couples therapy to help strengthen communication, understanding, and connection.

Anxiety 

Do you ever feel like your mind just won’t switch off, caught in a loop of worry, self-doubt, and endless “what ifs”? Do you feel anxious, restless, or tense, even when you can’t quite explain why? Maybe small decisions feel heavier than they should, or scrolling through social media leaves you comparing yourself to others and wondering why everyone else seems to have it all together. Your thoughts might keep you awake at night, replaying the same worries over and over. Gradually, everyday activities such as going to work, socialising, or leaving the house can begin to feel like too much. If this sounds familiar, therapy with me can help. Together, we will explore what lies beneath your anxiety, find ways to calm your mind, and develop strategies to ease tension, helping you feel more grounded, balanced and in control. 

Trauma 

You may be carrying the weight of childhood experiences that left a lasting impact, perhaps you grew up in an environment where love and safety were inconsistent, where your emotions weren’t heard or accepted, or where you had to grow up too quickly. Childhood trauma doesn’t always come from a single event. It can come from years of feeling emotionally neglected, being criticised or shamed, living with a caregiver who was unpredictable or not getting the support you needed to feel secure and valued. Sometimes the wounds are quiet but deep, formed not just by what happened, but also by what you did not receive.

As an adult, you may feel anxious, overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsure of your worth. You might struggle with people-pleasing, setting boundaries or feel like you're “too much,” “not enough,” or somehow broken. Or perhaps you might have experienced trauma as an adult, through an unhealthy relationship, a significant loss, an accident, illness, or long-term stress, that has left you feeling detached, emotionally drained, or apprehensive. These experiences can be deeply traumatic and shape how you relate to yourself and others, often in ways that are difficult to understand. In therapy, we can gently explore these patterns, create emotional safety, and begin supporting your healing through self-understanding and compassion.

Dating 

If you’ve noticed the same patterns showing up in your dating or relationship history, such as difficulty honouring your own needs, being drawn to similar types of toxic partners, or finding yourself in cycles that don’t feel healthy, it’s understandable to feel frustrated, confused, or even disheartened. You might be wondering why this keeps happening, or what it says about you. These patterns often have deeper roots, and together we can explore where they come from. With curiosity and compassion, we can work to untangle what’s been keeping you stuck so you can begin to shift these dynamics and make space for something new. I offer gentle insight to support you in building relationships that feel respectful, balanced, and aligned with your true needs, where you can feel seen, safe, and whole.

Relationships

Does conflict with your partner make your heart race and leave you feeling panicky? Do you feel the need to fix things immediately, or worry they might leave or even cheat if they seem distant? Trust can be hard, especially if you’ve been hurt before, even if it wasn’t by your current partner. Past experiences can leave tender spots that make opening up feel scary or make it hard to believe things can be different. Together, we can gently explore these feelings, understand where they come from, and help you feel safer and more secure in your relationship. Or maybe you find yourself pulling away when things start to feel too close, or needing space when your partner wants to talk about feelings? Perhaps you value independence and feel uncomfortable depending on others, even when part of you longs for connection. It can be confusing to want closeness but also feel uneasy when it happens. Together, we can gently explore these patterns, understand the fears beneath them, and help you feel more comfortable letting others in while still honouring your need for space and autonomy.

Or perhaps you are both wanting to improve your relationship together, with Couples Therapy. Whether you’re navigating conflict, wanting to rebuild trust, or simply hoping to communicate more openly and kindly with each other, I provide a supportive space where both partners can feel heard, understood, and guided toward healthier, more secure patterns together.

We can also explore the complexities of family and other relationships, whether it’s with your parents, siblings, children, or friends. Every connection is unique and has its own story, and there’s no single “right” solution. You might be feeling hurt, distant, or unsure how to repair something that’s been strained, or learning to make peace with choosing not to reconnect. In therapy with me, you’ll have a safe space to explore your feelings, understand patterns in your relationships, and develop strategies to build trust and stronger connections with the people who matter most, especially yourself.

Parenting 

Do you give yourself a hard time and feel like no matter what you do, you’re not doing enough? Perhaps you’re exhausted juggling parenting alongside work, family, or other commitments, and it feels like there’s never enough time or energy. Parenting comes with joys, but it also brings challenges that can leave you feeling uncertain about your decisions or stretched thin. Whether you’re caring for a baby, navigating school years, supporting a teenager, or guiding a neurodivergent child, it’s natural to feel moments of guilt, frustration, or self-doubt. Questions about whether you’re “doing it right” can weigh heavily, and co-parenting challenges, stress, and burnout can add extra strain.

You do not have to face these challenges alone. In therapy, we can explore your child’s emotions and behaviours, understand what they might be communicating, and support your own wellbeing at the same time. Together, we can develop practical and compassionate strategies that strengthen connection, build resilience, and help you feel more confident and grounded in your parenting. I also offer Parent and Child Therapy to support your relationship and help both of you feel more understood and connected.

Support for Teenagers

In addition to working with adults, I also offer counselling for young people aged 13 and over. Adolescence can be a challenging time, filled with changes, pressures, and emotions that can feel difficult to manage alone. I provide a safe and supportive space where young people can talk openly about what’s on their mind, whether that’s school, friendships, identity, anxiety, low mood, or family relationships. My approach is gentle and collaborative, helping each young person build self-understanding, confidence, and coping skills in a way that feels right for them.

Neurodivergence 

If you are neurodivergent or wondering whether you might be, everyday life can feel overstimulating and exhausting. Managing daily life, relationships, and responsibilities may often feel like a constant challenge. Neurodivergence includes a wide range of experiences such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, OCD, Tourette’s, and sensory processing differences. These reflect the incredible diversity of how minds can work, each bringing its own strengths, perspectives, and ways of engaging with the world. Perhaps your diagnosis came early, but you didn’t receive the support you needed. Or maybe it came later, and you're still making sense of what it means for you. You might not have a diagnosis at all, but feel curious about exploring the possibility. Wherever you are in your journey, understanding your neurodivergence can be an empowering step that helps you navigate life with more clarity and find your place in a world that isn’t always designed with neurodivergent people in mind. If you’re living with any of these experiences, you’re not alone, and support is available. I offer a gentle, curious, and welcoming space where you can slow down, connect with your feelings, and explore who you are beyond the pressure to fit into a neurotypical mold. Together, we can uncover ways to care for yourself with more compassion, reduce burnout, and begin to build a life that feels more aligned with the way you naturally think, feel, and move through the world.

Testimonials 

"Vanessa made me feel comfortable and supported from the moment I started therapy. With Vanessa's help we were able to look at my past and I shared things that I had never said out loud before. Together we made sense of why I felt the way I did and why I struggled with certain situations. Therapy has been life changing for me and I will be forever grateful for our time together, Thank you Vanessa."

"I will miss our weekly morning sessions, I feel so much better for them. My Husband and my family have noticed a huge positive change, thank you for everything you have done for me! I now have a spring in my step again and I will be recommending you to anyone seeking counselling."

About me 

I’m Vanessa, a qualified psychotherapist with seven years of university education and training. I run my own private practice, and I also work within a trauma charity, supporting people through some of life’s most challenging moments. Today, I bring both professional expertise and a genuine understanding to my work, providing a compassionate, non-judgemental space where you can feel truly heard and supported.

How I work 

Therapy with me offers you a space to slow down and reconnect with who you are. My approach is integrative, drawing on person-centred, psychodynamic, attachment-based, and CBT techniques. This allows us to gently explore your inner world while also finding practical ways to feel more grounded, confident, and connected in your life. I offer face to face sessions from my therapy room in Leek, Staffordshire, as well as online therapy and walk and talk sessions. This means you can choose the environment that feels right for you, whether that’s the comfort of your own home, the calm of nature, or a welcoming therapy space.

If this feels like the right place for you, I would be glad to hear from you - please reach out whenever you feel ready!