About me
Hello, I’m Vanessa, a HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist and founder of Neuronest Studio.
I offer a warm, compassionate, and non-judgemental therapeutic space where children, young people, adults, and families can explore emotions, experiences, and challenges at their own pace.
My practice is rooted in the understanding that experiences of stress, trauma, loss, neurodivergence, attachment difficulties, and emotional overwhelm often live not only in words, but also in the body and nervous system. Because of this, I integrate traditional talking therapy with creative, sensory, and nervous-system-informed approaches to support emotional regulation, expression, and healing.
As an Art Psychotherapist, I use art materials, metaphor, storytelling, imagery, and creative exploration to help clients communicate experiences that may feel difficult to verbalise. No artistic skill or experience is needed - the focus is on expression and understanding, not creating “good art.”
I support clients with a range of difficulties, including:
- Anxiety and stress
- Trauma and adverse childhood experiences
- Emotional regulation difficulties
- Low self-esteem and identity struggles
- Attachment and relational difficulties
- Bereavement and loss
- Neurodivergence-related challenges (including sensory and emotional overwhelm)
- Parenting and family stress
Training, qualifications & experience
HCPC-registered Art Psychotherapist with specialist training in trauma, attachment, and neurobiology.
I hold a Master's in Art Psychotherapy and have extensive experience working therapeutically with adults, children, families, and professionals across education, community, and clinical settings. My practice integrates psychodynamic, attachment-based, and neuroscience-informed approaches, with particular focus on nervous system regulation, emotional expression, and relational safety.
My professional experience includes working within schools, therapeutic services, and multidisciplinary teams, supporting clients presenting with:
- anxiety and emotional dysregulation
- trauma and adverse childhood experiences, attachment difficulties
- social, emotional and mental health needs, neurodivergence, including autism and ADHD
- loss, transition, and identity-related challenges
Alongside one-to-one therapy, I design and facilitate psychoeducational and therapeutic resources, workshops, and group interventions for children, parents, carers, and professionals. My work often incorporates creative expression, sensory regulation, reflective practice, and embodied approaches to support healing and self-understanding.
I undertake regular CPD to deepen my practice in areas including trauma, nervous system regulation, therapeutic life story work, parent–infant wellbeing, and creative therapeutic interventions.
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 HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£50.00 - £65.00
Additional information
I offer a sliding scale dependent upon circumstances. Lower rates are offered to students and those on lower incomes, and when sessions are carried out online. Please enquire for more details.
