Vanessa Bailey

Counsellor & Psychotherapist

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Are you feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from others or even from yourself? Maybe you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or loneliness and find it hard to express your needs or even know what they are. If you’re seeking clarity, connection, and a space to be fully heard, therapy with me offers the support and understanding you need. Together, we can explore what’s holding you back and help you reconnect with those who matter most, especially yourself. When you are ready, I’m here to help you find balance, confidence, and a deeper sense of connection. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or to learn more.
______________My areas of experience and interest:*Anxiety
*Working with Trauma
*Understanding Dating Patterns
*Navigating Relationships
*Neurodivergence
*Parenting Challenges
*Supporting TeenagersHowever, I am here to support you
with whatever you might be facing.
______________AnxietyAnxiety can feel overwhelming, like your mind just will not stop racing and you are stuck in a cycle of worry, overthinking, and self-doubt. You may feel restless, on edge, or weighed down by even the smallest decisions. Social media often makes things harder, with constant comparisons, endless scrolling, and the pressure of likes or outside validation leaving you feeling not good enough or like you are falling behind.You do not have to face this alone. In therapy, I provide a safe and supportive space where you can share openly without judgment. Together, we can explore and understand what fuels your worry and overthinking, while developing practical coping strategies to calm your mind and help you regain a sense of balance.
______________Working with TraumaYou may be carrying the weight of past experiences that left a lasting impact. Perhaps your childhood lacked consistent love or safety, or you felt unseen, unheard, or had to grow up too quickly. Trauma isn’t always caused by one defining moment. Sometimes, the care, support, or safety you needed but didn’t receive can be just as damaging as what did happen.Not all trauma begins in childhood. You might have gone through a difficult relationship, loss, illness, or long-term stress that left you feeling disconnected or overwhelmed. These experiences can shape how you relate to yourself and others, often in ways that are hard to make sense of. In therapy, we can gently explore these patterns, create emotional safety, and begin to support healing through self-understanding and compassion.
______________Understanding Dating PatternsIf 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 just don’t feel healthy, it’s understandable to feel frustrated, confused, or even disheartened. You might be wondering why this keeps happening, or if there is something you are doing "wrong".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.
______________Navigating RelationshipsDo you notice your heart start to race or your chest tighten when you and your partner argue? Do you feel panicky when there’s tension, or find yourself needing to fix things right away so everything feels okay again? Maybe you worry they’ll leave, lose interest, or even cheat if they seem distant. Have you ever wondered why these moments feel so intense?Trust can be difficult, especially if you’ve been hurt before. Even if the pain didn’t come from your current partner, past experiences can leave tender places that make closeness feel risky. Do you ever catch yourself wanting to open up but holding back out of fear of getting hurt again? Together, we can gently explore where these feelings come from, understand the patterns they’ve created, and help you feel safer, calmer, and more secure in your relationships.Or perhaps you are wanting to improve your current relationship, 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 look at the complexities of family and other relationship dynamics, perhaps with your own parents, siblings, children, or friends. Every relationship is unique and complex, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. You may be feeling hurt, isolated, or overwhelmed, unsure how to repair or rebuild important connections. Or perhaps you’ve made the difficult decision not to reconnect and want to explore the feelings that come with prioritising your own wellbeing. Whatever you’re experiencing, you don’t have to face it alone. Together, we can navigate these challenges with compassion and care, helping you find greater clarity and confidence.
______________NeurodivergenceIf you are neurodivergent or wondering whether you might be, everyday life can sometimes feel overwhelming, and exhausting. You may have received a diagnosis early on without the support you needed, or later in life and are still making sense of it. Or perhaps you're simply curious about whether neurodivergence may help explain your experiences. Gaining insight into your unique way of thinking can be a meaningful step toward feeling more comfortable in a world that often isn’t built with neurodivergent minds in mind.Neurodivergence is not only Autism and ADHD but includes Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, OCD and sensory processing differences too. My approach is gentle and accepting, offering a space to slow down, connect with yourself, and explore what you need to live in a way that feels more aligned and sustainable. Together, we can work toward reducing burnout and finding supportive strategies that honour how you naturally function and thrive.
______________Parenting ChallengesDo you give yourself a hard time and worry you’re letting your children down? Juggling parenting with work and family life can feel exhausting, and it’s natural to question whether you’re getting it “right.” Whether you’re navigating school demands, teenage years, supporting a neurodivergent child or co-parenting, the emotional load can be heavy. Feelings of guilt, frustration, or burnout are common, and it’s easy to feel stretched thin. For new parents the early days can bring not only sleep deprivation and emotional overwhelm but also a sense of lost identity. You might find yourself wondering where the old version of you has gone, or feeling alone in the intensity of this new role.As a Psychotherapist with extensive knowledge in Psychology and Child Development, I offer a genuine understanding, non-judgmental, supportive space where you can make sense of your experiences. Together, we can explore your child’s needs and what may be going on for them, while also attending to your own needs and wellbeing. Therapy with me can help you find clarity, confidence, and connection in your parenting journey, whatever stage you’re in. I also offer Parent and Child Therapy to support your relationship and help both of you feel more understood and connected.
______________Supporting TeenagersIn 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.
______________About MeHi, I’m Vanessa, an Integrative Psychotherapist offering a warm, welcoming space where you can explore whatever feels difficult right now. 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 workI tailor each session to your individual needs, drawing from approaches such as Person-centred therapy, Psychodynamic, CBT, and Attachment theory. This means we can look at both deeper patterns from the past and practical tools for the present. I work gently and collaboratively, helping you make sense of your experiences at a pace that feels safe and supportive.
______________What You’ll GainThrough therapy with me, you’ll have the opportunity to:*Be truly heard in a safe, supportive space*Make sense of past experiences and their impact today*Recognise unhelpful patterns and explore new ways of coping*Strengthen your sense of self and self-worth*Develop practical strategies to feel calmer, more resilient, and more connectedIf this feels like the right place for you, I would be glad to hear from you - please reach out whenever you feel ready.
______________Practical DetailsOnline in the UK (via Microsoft Teams)
In Person located in Leek, StaffordshirePrices:
Individual Therapy £60 (50 Minutes)Parent & Child Therapy £70 (60 Minutes)Couples Therapy £100 (90 Minutes)+ £15 for evenings (after 5PM) and weekend appointments______________Qualifications:Level 5 Diploma in Counselling Children and Young PeopleBachelors Degree in Psychology and Child DevelopmentGraduate Certificate in Counselling AdultsPost Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling

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