Vanessa Sanderson

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Registered MBACP
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

location_on Kendal, Cumbria, LA9
Accepting new clients
Accepting new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Hi, I’m Vanessa, a person centred counsellor who also works creatively.
I work with young people and adults. 

Counselling is about you, it is unique and personal to each individual with no set structure. We can work collaboratively in whichever bespoke way to suit your needs and expectations.

Sometimes words alone are not enough, this is where my passion for creative counselling stems from; I believe we can use creativity as a language in itself, to delve into our inner landscapes.

Working creatively can open doors into our symbolic forms of expression helping us reconnect with the lost, the forgotten and the hidden- from a safe distance. 

What to expect 

My approach is to create a nurturing climate in which you can begin the healing process from any past malnutrition; encouraging you to grow and blossom as your authentic self.

I will hold a safe space for all emotions and welcome every part of you with acceptance and compassion; always meeting you where you are and being alongside you as your therapeutic traveller wherever you choose to go.

I endeavour to truly hear you; in your spoken and unspoken words and to offer validation and empathy.

How can counselling help? 

Exploring your internal and external worlds; together, can help you gain a sense of clarity and understanding over any psychological turmoil you are facing.

Furthermore, having someone who is truly present for you can be an insightful experience. This in-depth exploration can help us leave old, unhelpful patterns of behaviour behind and challenge the narratives of our self limiting aspects. 

At the heart of the therapeutic process is our relationship; which will be built on a foundation of trust, transparency and integrity. Ultimately, our therapeutic alliance will be created through heartfelt human to human connection. 

We are all made up of many different versions of ourselves; which present themselves depending on our environment. We are constantly adjusting and adapting to fulfil others expectations of us. Therapy is a safe space where you can remove these masks and just simply be; without judgment. 

Personally, I would describe the therapeutic process as a homecoming, where you can find the map and ignite your inner lighthouse to gently guide you home to all that you were meant to be. 

I recognise the courage it takes to consider accessing therapy; by taking this step, you are giving yourself permission to be important. 

I really look forward to hearing from you.

With warmth and light, Vanessa. 

Training, qualifications & experience

  • Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Practice 
  • BACP registered counsellor (MBACP)
  • Adult mental health first aid qualified 
  • ICO registered

I have completed a CPCAB endorsed 9 module training course on creative interventions counselling:

  • Module 1- working creatively with grounding tools
  • Module 2- eco therapy and walk and talk counselling
  • Module 3 - working creatively with characters, stories and fairytales
  • Module 4 - working creatively with symbols 
  • Module 5- working creatively with cards, images and photographs
  • Module 6- working creatively using art and colour
  • Module 7- working creatively with sand
  • Module 8- working creatively with clay 
  • Module 9- working creatively with nesting dolls

I have also completed CPD in suicide prevention, self-harm, inner child work, aspects of self, attachment, working with blocked anger, working with shame, working with dreams, disassociation and much more. 

I volunteered for a local charity as a counsellor for 3 years and I currently work therapeutically in an organisation that supports clients and the community around self-harm and eating disorders. 

Member organisations

BACP
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)

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

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

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.

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

£40.00 - £45.00

Concessions offered for

  • check_circle Low income
  • check_circle Keyworkers
  • check_circle Students
  • check_circle Trainee counsellors
  • check_circle Unemployed

Additional information

I offer all clients an initial session at a reduced cost in order for us to get to know one another and for you to get a feel for how I work and to see if this is compatible with your expectations and needs. This is an opportunity to explore what has brought you to seek therapy at this time. This session is 45 minutes and will be offered to you for £20. 

If you decide to enter into the therapeutic process after our first meeting; sessions will be charged at £45 for 1 hour. 

Type of session

In person
Vanessa Sanderson
Vanessa Sanderson