Vanessa Richards
Compassionate, practical therapy for life challenges
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About Vanessa
Vanessa Richards helps people who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, and issues around self-esteem. She also supports people dealing with addiction, grief, parenting strain, career stress, bipolar concerns, ADHD, and major life changes. Vanessa works with a broad range of worries that disrupt everyday life and wellbeing.
Vanessa has five years of professional experience and holds a BACP accreditation from the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Background and approach
She uses an open, relational style so people feel heard and understood from the first session. Conversations in therapy focus on what matters to the individual and practical steps they can try between meetings. Her approach draws on client-centred work, cognitive behavioural techniques, dialectical behaviour ideas, emotionally-focused methods, and motivational interviewing.
This mix lets her match tools to a person’s needs, whether that means learning new coping skills, addressing painful memories, or improving communication. Vanessa pays close attention to experiences linked to abandonment, attachment, adoption and foster care, blended family issues, body image and caregiving stress.
She also works with people facing chronic illness, cancer-related concerns, and dissociation, tailoring sessions to where someone is right now. Sessions aim to be practical and collaborative. Vanessa helps people set small goals and practises strategies together in session.
She encourages steady progress rather than quick fixes. People can expect straightforward language, a calm tone, and support focused on real-life problems. Vanessa’s way of working is steady and relational, with an emphasis on what will help day to day.
At a glance
- Years practising
- 5
- Registered with
- BACP
- Registration number
- 395767
- Languages
- English
- Approaches include
- Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- How sessions happen
- Online, by video, phone or messages
Details are as listed on Vanessa's public professional profile. You can check any number with the professional body.
What Vanessa works with
Everything Vanessa lists, in their own terms.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Eating disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Coaching
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Blended family issues
- Body image
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Eating and food-related issues
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fertility issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counselling
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Postpartum depression
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Visually impaired
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Vanessa lists
- Client-Centred Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
- Systemic Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor names and does not check training records.
How Vanessa works online
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions connect. It breaks problems into manageable steps and offers practical techniques for anxiety, low mood, and unhelpful habits.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, DBT, emphasises emotional regulation and coping skills. It can help when emotions feel overwhelming or when someone struggles with intense reactions.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Vanessa will review what you want to change and try methods that fit your goals and circumstances. This is a collaborative process and plans can change as progress is made.
If you are considering online therapy, check which session options the therapist currently offers before booking. Confirming formats helps you plan how therapy fits into your week, whether you need shorter check-ins, quieter surroundings, or sessions that do not require video. Online work can make it easier to attend from different places and to keep therapy consistent alongside daily commitments.
Questions and answers
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, grief, addictions, parenting strain, bipolar concerns, ADHD and related challenges.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Vanessa works in a relational, client-centred way and focuses on practical steps. Sessions aim to be collaborative and use tools that match what the person needs.
What background and experience does she have?
She has five years of professional experience and has worked in health settings supporting people with depression, trauma and motivation concerns.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and is based in the United Kingdom.
Can I work with her if I live outside the UK?
Sessions are offered to international clients and are delivered in English.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm current session options before booking so you know which formats are available.
How are costs handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability and sessions are arranged through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What should I do to get started?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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