Vanessa Shannon

I believe that meaningful change begins with feeling genuinely heard, accepted and understood. As an integrative counsellor, I work relationally, drawing on person-centred, psychodynamic and somatic approaches to meet your individual needs. Rather than following one model, I adapt my way of working to you, because no two people or life experiences are ever the same.

My aim is to offer a warm, grounded and compassionate space where you can talk openly, at your own pace. Together we can make sense of what has brought you to therapy, explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and understand how past experiences continue to shape the present. While talking is at the heart of my work, I also gently bring awareness to what is happening in the body, recognising that our bodies often hold experiences that words alone cannot fully express. Where appropriate, we may use grounding or breathing techniques to help you feel more settled and connected.

Alongside my private practice, I support adult survivors of sexual abuse. I use trauma informed therapy to help people living with the long-term effects of trauma, and those navigating bereavement and loss. I understand how overwhelming experiences can affect the way we see ourselves, relate to others and move through the world, often long after the events themselves have passed.

Alongside my professional training, I also bring lived experience of trauma and bereavement. While I would never assume to understand someone else’s story, these experiences have deepened my empathy and reinforced my belief that healing is rarely about fixing what is broken. More often, it is about gently reconnecting with the parts of ourselves that have been lost, protected or forgotten along the way.

I deliver short and long term psychotherapy and counselling in both the charity and private sectors. 

Beginning counselling can feel like a significant step, particularly if this is your first experience of therapy. Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another, explore what has brought you to counselling and think about what you hope to gain from our work together. There is no expectation to share everything straight away. We will work at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

Therapy is a collaborative process. My role isn’t to give advice or tell you what to do, but to help you make sense of your experiences, recognise patterns, build self-awareness and discover your own way forward. As our relationship develops, we will regularly reflect on how therapy is progressing and ensure it continues to meet your needs.

I welcome adults from all backgrounds and have experience supporting people with:

* Trauma and the lasting effects of traumatic experiences

* Sexual abuse and sexual violence

* Bereavement and loss

* Anxiety and stress

* Low self-esteem and self-worth

* Relationship difficulties

* Life transitions and feeling stuck

* Emotional overwhelm

* Identity and sense of self

* Personal growth and self-understanding

Whether you arrive with a clear reason for seeking therapy or simply a feeling that something doesn’t feel quite right, you will be met with warmth, curiosity and compassion in a space where you don’t have to face things alone.

Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other, for you to tell me what brings you to counselling , your hopes, previous counselling experience or assumptions and to ask me any questions of me. It is a more directive session than most as it is a fact finding activity rather than exploration.

If you believe that we can work together you will be asked to commit to a shared counselling agreement which will cover conditions of our therapeutic relationship, number of sessions and payment obligtions.  

I believe that meaningful change begins with feeling genuinely heard, accepted and understood. As an integrative counsellor, I work relationally, drawing on person-centred, psychodynamic and somatic approaches to meet your individual needs. Rather than following one model, I adapt my way of working to you, because no two people or life experiences are ever the same. 

My aim is to offer a warm, grounded and compassionate space where you can talk openly, at your own pace. Together we can make sense of what has brought you to therapy, explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and understand how past experiences continue to shape the present. While talking is at the heart of my work, I also gently bring awareness to what is happening in the body, recognising that our bodies often hold experiences that words alone cannot fully express. Where appropriate, we may use grounding or breathing techniques to help you feel more settled and connected.

Alongside my private practice, I support adult survivors of sexual abuse. I use trauma informed therapy to help people living with the long-term effects of trauma, and those navigating bereavement and loss. I understand how overwhelming experiences can affect the way we see ourselves, relate to others and move through the world, often long after the events themselves have passed.

Alongside my professional training, I also bring lived experience of trauma and bereavement. While I would never assume to understand someone else’s story, these experiences have deepened my empathy and reinforced my belief that healing is rarely about fixing what is broken. More often, it is about gently reconnecting with the parts of ourselves that have been lost, protected or forgotten along the way.

I deliver short and long term psychotherapy and counselling in both the charity and private sectors. 

Beginning counselling can feel like a significant step, particularly if this is your first experience of therapy. Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another, explore what has brought you to counselling and think about what you hope to gain from our work together. There is no expectation to share everything straight away. We will work at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

Therapy is a collaborative process. My role isn’t to give advice or tell you what to do, but to help you make sense of your experiences, recognise patterns, build self-awareness and discover your own way forward. As our relationship develops, we will regularly reflect on how therapy is progressing and ensure it continues to meet your needs.

I welcome adults from all backgrounds and have experience supporting people with:

* Trauma and the lasting effects of traumatic experiences

* Sexual abuse and sexual violence

* Bereavement and loss

* Anxiety and stress

* Low self-esteem and self-worth

* Relationship difficulties

* Life transitions and feeling stuck

* Emotional overwhelm

* Identity and sense of self

* Personal growth and self-understanding

Whether you arrive with a clear reason for seeking therapy or simply a feeling that something doesn’t feel quite right, you will be met with warmth, curiosity and compassion in a space where you don’t have to face things alone.

Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other, for you to tell me what brings you to counselling , your hopes,  previous counselling experience or assumptions and to ask me any  questions of me. It is a more directive session than most as it is a fact finding activity rather than exploration. 

If you believe that we can work together you will be asked to commit to a shared counselling agreement which will cover conditions of our therapeutic relationship, number of sessions and payment obligtions.  

I believe that meaningful change begins with feeling genuinely heard, accepted and understood. As an integrative counsellor, I work relationally, drawing on person-centred, psychodynamic and somatic approaches to meet your individual needs. Rather than following one model, I adapt my way of working to you, because no two people or life experiences are ever the same.

My aim is to offer a warm, grounded and compassionate space where you can talk openly, at your own pace. Together we can make sense of what has brought you to therapy, explore the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and understand how past experiences continue to shape the present. While talking is at the heart of my work, I also gently bring awareness to what is happening in the body, recognising that our bodies often hold experiences that words alone cannot fully express. Where appropriate, we may use grounding or breathing techniques to help you feel more settled and connected.

Alongside my private practice, I support adult survivors of sexual abuse. I use trauma informed therapy to help people living with the long-term effects of trauma, and those navigating bereavement and loss. I understand how overwhelming experiences can affect the way we see ourselves, relate to others and move through the world, often long after the events themselves have passed.

Alongside my professional training, I also bring lived experience of trauma and bereavement. While I would never assume to understand someone else’s story, these experiences have deepened my empathy and reinforced my belief that healing is rarely about fixing what is broken. More often, it is about gently reconnecting with the parts of ourselves that have been lost, protected or forgotten along the way.

I deliver short and long term psychotherapy and counselling in both the charity and private sectors. 

Beginning counselling can feel like a significant step, particularly if this is your first experience of therapy. Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another, explore what has brought you to counselling and think about what you hope to gain from our work together. There is no expectation to share everything straight away. We will work at a pace that feels safe and manageable for you.

Therapy is a collaborative process. My role isn’t to give advice or tell you what to do, but to help you make sense of your experiences, recognise patterns, build self-awareness and discover your own way forward. As our relationship develops, we will regularly reflect on how therapy is progressing and ensure it continues to meet your needs.

I welcome adults from all backgrounds and have experience supporting people with:

* Trauma and the lasting effects of traumatic experiences

* Sexual abuse and sexual violence

* Bereavement and loss

* Anxiety and stress

* Low self-esteem and self-worth

* Relationship difficulties

* Life transitions and feeling stuck

* Emotional overwhelm

* Identity and sense of self

* Personal growth and self-understanding

Whether you arrive with a clear reason for seeking therapy or simply a feeling that something doesn’t feel quite right, you will be met with warmth, curiosity and compassion in a space where you don’t have to face things alone.

Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other, for you to tell me what brings you to counselling , your hopes, previous counselling experience or assumptions and to ask me any questions of me. It is a more directive session than most as it is a fact finding activity rather than exploration.

If you believe that we can work together you will be asked to commit to a shared counselling agreement which will cover conditions of our therapeutic relationship, number of sessions and payment obligtions.