Vanessa Richards , BACP

Vanessa Richards is a UK-licensed therapist who brings a decade of professional experience to her practice, working across public and private health settings to support people through significant life challenges.

She spent more than two years in government roles supporting survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, developing specialist knowledge of trauma and the delicate process of speaking about painful experiences in a safe, constructive way. Prior to her counselling career, she worked for over seven years as a therapeutic radiographer, gaining direct experience of the cancer treatment journey and an understanding of how illness affects patients, families, and caregivers.

Vanessa has supported clients with depression, stress and anxiety, relationship difficulties, motivation and self-esteem, and a range of trauma-related issues while working within the National Health Service (NHS) and the private sector. She holds a master's degree in integrative counselling and psychotherapy, a postgraduate qualification that combines ideas from different therapeutic models to tailor treatment to each person. Working in a relational, client-centered way, she collaborates with clients to build trust, explore goals, and support steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Vanessa uses client-centered therapy to create a warm, non-judgmental space where the client’s experience guides the work; this approach helps with building trust, exploring emotions, and strengthening self-understanding. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on identifying and gently challenging unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and to improve everyday functioning. In addition, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is employed when clients need practical skills for managing intense emotions, improving interpersonal effectiveness, and increasing distress tolerance.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process and Vanessa approaches that choice collaboratively. She will work with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and will adapt methods over time so the work remains relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy with Vanessa is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain consistent support, fit sessions into busy lives, and access licensed professionals from wherever the client is located.