About me
Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected?
Life's challenges, which can be grief, relationship issues, caring responsibilities, or navigating autism, can leave you anxious or lost. Perhaps you have spent so long looking after everyone else that you have forgotten what you need, or you find yourself repeating patterns that no longer feel right.
You don't have to work through it alone.
A space where you can be yourself
I'm Vanessa (she/her), and I believe meaningful change begins when you feel genuinely seen, heard, and accepted.
My role is not to tell you who you should be or to offer quick fixes. Instead, I offer a warm, supportive relationship where we can slow down together, make sense of what is happening in your life, and explore your experiences with curiosity and compassion.
I offer therapy in both English and French, so if you feel more comfortable expressing yourself in your first language, you are welcome to speak in whichever language feels most natural to you.
Whether you are looking for relief from anxiety, support through grief, help navigating relationships, or a deeper understanding of yourself, therapy can provide a space where lasting change becomes possible.
How we will work together
My approach is grounded in Gestalt therapy, which gently brings attention to your present-moment experience. Together, we will explore your thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and relationships to understand how past experiences may be shaping your life today.
I also use mindfulness, creative approaches, and compassion-focused practices to help you develop greater awareness without self-judgement. Rather than trying to "fix" you, we will work together to uncover your strengths, recognise unhelpful patterns, and discover new ways of responding that feel more authentic and sustainable.
I see therapy as a collaborative process. You are the expert on your life, and my role is to walk alongside you with care, curiosity, and respect.
What you may gain from therapy
Through our work together, you may begin to:
- Feel calmer and better able to manage anxiety and overwhelm.
- Develop greater self-awareness and emotional understanding.
- Build self-compassion instead of self-criticism.
- Strengthen your relationships and communicate more openly.
- Feel more connected to yourself, your values, and the life you want to live.
- Move forward with greater confidence, authenticity, and resilience.
Taking the first step.
Beginning therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you have been carrying things on your own for a long time. You don't need to have the right words or know exactly where to begin.
You are welcome exactly as you are.
Together, we can create a safe, thoughtful space where you can explore your experiences at your own pace, feel less alone, and move towards a life that feels more grounded, connected, and true to who you are.
Training, qualifications & experience
2023 - 2025:
- DipHE Humanistic Counselling, University of Portsmouth, South Hampshire College Group
2023 - 2023:
- TQUK Level 2 Self-harm & Suicide Awareness & Prevention, The Skills Network
- Level 2 Understanding Domestic Abuse, The Skills Network
- Samaritans Core Development, Samaritans Southampton Branch
- TQUK Level 2 Principles of Dementia Care The Skills Network
- Learning Languages with Senior Learners Certificate, The Open University
2023 - 2024:
- CPCAB Counselling Skills & Studies Level 3, West Sussex Counselling Training
- CPCAB Counselling Skills & Studies Level 2, West Sussex Counselling Training.
2022 - 2023:
- People, Work & Society Access Module, The Open University
2022 -2022:
- Existential Well-Being: A Person-Centred Experiential Approach Certificate, KU Leuven X
2022 - 2023:
- Safeguarding Certificates, SSS CPD
2017 - 2018:
- Level 2 Understanding Autism, NCFE CACHE & Autism Hampshire
1998 - 2009:
- Training in Middle-Management, GTP Training, QTS Secondary Education, CILT, Department of Education
1997 -1998:
- MA French as a Second or Foreign Language, University of Metz
1997 - 1998:
- MA English Language & Literature, University of Metz
1995 - 1997:
- BA English and American Literature & Civilisation, University of Metz
1991 - 1995:
- English and American Literature and Civilisation DEUG, University of Strasbourg
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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
Grief, bereavement & loss
Identity & self-exploration
Life transitions & changes
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£55.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
- Initial Consultation: Free 15' call.
- Reduced Fee: £45 per session.
Further information
I have experience supporting individuals with a wide range of challenges, including:
- Anxiety
- Carers’ emotional labour
- Depression
- Grief, bereavement & loss
- Identity & self-exploration
- Isolation & loneliness
- Life transitions & changes
- Neurodiversity
- Relationship & family challenges
- Self-esteem
- Work-related burnout
