Vanessa Pozzali
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This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.
About me
About me
I am a psychologist and psychotherapist with a passion for helping people improve their mental health and wellbeing. I believe that everyone has the potential to thrive, and I am dedicated to providing my clients with the tools and support they need to achieve their goals. My services are available both online and in-person for adults, groups, and organisations. I am sensitive to working with multicultural and LGBTQ+ communities.
Starting Psychotherapy or psychology therapy
Starting therapy can be a courageous act of self-love. It is an opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in a safe and supportive environment. Therapy can help you understand yourself better, develop coping skills, and make positive changes in your life.
By seeking therapy, you are taking the first step towards improving your mental health and becoming the best version of yourself.
Why start therapy
There are many reasons why someone might choose to start therapy. Some common reasons include:
- Dealing with stress, anxiety, or depression
- Coping with difficult life changes, such as a job loss, divorce, or death of a loved one
- Improving relationships
- Developing healthy coping mechanisms
- Increasing self-awareness and self-esteem
- Past or present trauma
What I can help with
I understand that navigating through difficult emotions and relationships can be overwhelming and challenging. It's not uncommon to face unexpected difficulties that can leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused. Additionally, struggling with negative thoughts and feelings about yourself can be distressing and impact your mental health. However, it's important to remember that you don't have to face these challenges alone. As a qualified and compassionate psychotherapist, I am here to support you through your journey of healing and growth. Whether you're dealing with emotional distress, relationship issues, unexpected life events, or negative self-talk, I can help you develop the tools and skills you need to overcome these challenges and live a fulfilling life.
What clients say about therapy with me
"I had therapies before, but I felt, for the first time, that Vanessa really helped me to make sense of my life and my experiences."
What to expect in your first session
The first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and discuss your goals for therapy. I will ask you about your history, your current situation, and what you hope to achieve in therapy. We will also discuss confidentiality, fees, and other practical matters.
I look forward to working with you!
Please contact me to schedule a consultation. You can book your first 20-minute free session to have more information about the therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
As a cognitive and psychobiological sciences graduate, I gained a solid foundation in the scientific and statistical aspects of psychology, as well as an integrated view of the mind with biology, chemistry, physiology, and sociology. During my master's degree, I focused on the social aspects of mental health, as well as the importance of communities in supporting mental wellness. This gave me valuable insights into designing interventions to improve mental health outcomes for specific communities.
I further deepened my clinical skills through a rigorous four-year post-graduate specialization at COIRAG, where I graduated as a group analytic psychotherapist. During this intensive program, I engaged in extensive practice and in-depth studies, honing my understanding of various psychotherapeutic approaches and developing non-judgmental listening skills that allow me to be open to all aspects that patients bring to therapy.
In addition to my formal education, I believe in the importance of ongoing personal growth and self-exploration. That's why I underwent a long personal psychoanalytic therapy myself, which helped me better understand my own conflicts and fears, and become a more empathic and effective psychotherapist.
My clinical experience spans both the public and private sectors in both Italy and the UK, working with patients aged 18 and over. Through these diverse experiences, I have gained valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that arise in different therapeutic settings, and I am committed to providing the highest quality care to each and every patient I work with.
I am dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest research and techniques in the field of psychotherapy, and regularly attend conferences, workshops, and training programs to deepen my knowledge and skills. With a deep understanding of the complexities of mental health and a commitment to ongoing personal and professional growth, I am passionate about helping my clients achieve their goals and live their best lives.
Member organisations
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.
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
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£45.00 - £140.00
Free initial online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I believe that mental health care should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. That's why I offer a free 20-minute introductory session to get to know each other and discuss how we can work together to help you achieve your goals.
My standard fee is £140 per session, but I understand that therapy can be a significant investment. That's why I'm happy to work with you to find a payment plan that suits your needs, whether that means weekly or monthly payments. I also have the option of group therapy for 45£ per session.
Group therapy offers an effective and affordable option that doesn’t compromise on quality of care.
In addition to the therapeutic benefits, group therapy is an excellent way to develop social skills and connect with others who are facing similar challenges. You’ll receive feedback and validation from your group mates, as well as learn a diverse range of coping strategies.
I facilitate four short-term therapy groups that focus on specific themes. Each group is limited to eight participants and runs for up to 12 sessions, with each session lasting 90 minutes. This structure provides ample time for introspection and full engagement in each session.
When I work
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Psychotherapy takes place in regular sessions. I usually ask my clients to find and maintain the same day and time throughout the sessions.
Further information
Growing up in Italy on Lake Garda, I developed a passion for different cultures, which now benefits my diverse range of patients, including expats and third-culture individuals. My desire to connect deeply with those suffering is what led me to become a therapist, inspired by a book about a teacher's relationship with a student with elective mutism. I believe the therapeutic relationship is key to the healing process, and my goal is to create a warm and trusting space where patients can connect with their inner selves and embrace positive change.
Exploratory therapy, which I practice using a psychodynamic approach, involves delving into the subconscious to recognize relationship patterns and behaviors. I help my patients become more aware of themselves and their internal processes. It's not about me telling you what to do or giving you a quick fix, but rather helping you find your own strategies for personal growth and healing. This process can be challenging but also incredibly rewarding, as you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and your relationships.
