Counsellor and Psychotherapist - Leek, Staffordshire

Therapy Sessions Available Online & In-Person

Less Couch, More Conversation

Therapy for Real People Who Don’t Have It All Together

Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, relationship struggles, past experiences or a racing mind start to take over, and you don’t need to have it all figured out before you begin. Therapy with me is warm, honest and human, with a side of humour. I specialise in ADHD, anxiety, trauma, relationship and dating patterns, and parenting, offering online therapy across the UK from my practice in Leek, Staffordshire.

Vanessa Bailey – MBACP

With seven years of university training, experience working in trauma services, privately, and my own experience of therapy, I understand what genuinely helps people heal and move forward.

Who I Work With

Support for the things that keep repeating

I work with a wide range of emotional and relational difficulties, including:

You don’t need a diagnosis or a clear story. We can begin wherever you are.

How Therapy With Me Feels

Warm, grounded, & non-judgemental

Real connection is an essential part of healing, which is why therapy with me isn’t stiff or clinical. I bring warmth, honesty, and yes, the occasional moment of humour when it fits. Life is heavy enough, sometimes being able to laugh gently at ourselves or the absurdity of being human is exactly what helps things shift.

My clients often tell me sessions feel like talking to someone who genuinely “gets it,” I’m here to make sense of things with you, not analyse you from a distance.

Our work together will be compassionate, collaborative, and always at your own pace, moving between reflection and practicality depending on what you need. I draw on psychodynamic, attachment-based, CBT and person-centred approaches, tailored to what actually works for you.

→ About Vanessa

Trauma Therapy

For Childhood and Adult experiences

Trauma doesn’t always come from one clear event. It can grow from childhood experiences, emotional neglect, difficult relationships, or moments where you had to cope alone.

My trauma-informed approach is gentle and collaborative, focused on safety, understanding patterns, and helping you feel more grounded in your life and relationships.

→ Learn more about Trauma Therapy

Dating & Relationships

Understanding relationship patterns

If you find yourself repeating the same relationship cycles, struggling with trust, or feeling disconnected from others or yourself, therapy can help you explore why these patterns formed and how to move forward differently.

We can also explore the complexities of family and other relationships, whether it’s with your parents, siblings, children, or friends. Every connection is unique and has its own story

This work is supportive, reflective, and practical, helping you build healthier and more secure connections.

→ Dating & Relationship Therapy

“I’ve been working with vanessa for some time now after years of getting no where with the NHS. I can honestly say vanessa understands more than most. especially myself being male vanessa is very easy to talk to and very understanding & helped me through some. Difficult stuff I would highly recommend. Thanks again.“

“Having spent at least 12 months contemplating therapy, the initial contact was admittedly a nerve-wracking prospect. Within the first hour, Vanessa had not only managed to settle those nerves but also set a firm grounding for progress which has been built on since over the past 6 months. She has helped me tackle problems which I had felt bound to for life, consistently reassuring and understanding. Conversations are as light-hearted or as sensitive as the appointment requires – each week has provided an unmatched quiet space in which to think clearly and (finally) start feeling better. Vanessa is consistently professional, but is also able to land a perfect level of humour when needed, this has made each conversation more natural, ultimately leading to my opening up more about long-buried insecurities, feelings of guilt, shame and entrapment. I have felt an immeasurable benefit since starting Therapy with Vanessa and would recommend her to anyone. Vanessa will help you understand where the problem is rooted, how to manage it, how to process it, and eventually how to move forward healthily.“

“Working with Vanessa has been one of the best things I could have done for myself. This is the first time I have ever felt like therapy is actually working for me. I truly wouldn’t have been able to tackle this difficult journey without her guidance and support. She has helped me navigate some of the hardest moments of my life, and I feel confident looking forward because I have her in my corner. I am so incredibly grateful that I was able to find her. Even while navigating such a difficult time, I always look forward to my sessions; I feel heard, listened to, and safe to say whatever is on my mind. Knowing I have her support during such an isolating journey has gotten me through the days when I’ve been at my lowest, and I will always be grateful for that.”

“I recently wanted to get into therapy/counselling but I was not sure where to start and who would be best fit for myself. After finding Vanessa’s profile and the introduction call we had – I knew she was the best fit for me. Since then, the work we have done together has been great and makes the space feel safe with zero judgement etc. She is a very welcoming and warm person to be able to speak to about any problem, concerns, areas to work on etc. Definitely recommend!”

"Great service, very helpful, feel alot better about myself now, thank you so much Vanessa."

“Vanessa made me feel comfortable and supported from the moment I started therapy. With Vanessa’s help we were able to look at my past and I shared things that I had never said out loud before. Together we made sense of why I felt the way I did and why I struggled with certain situations. Therapy has been life changing for me and I will be forever grateful for our time together, Thank you Vanessa.”

“I will miss our weekly morning sessions, I feel so much better for them. My Husband and my family have noticed a huge positive change, thank you for everything you have done for me! I now have a spring in my step again and I will be recommending you to anyone seeking counselling.”

Practical Details

Flexible ways to work together

Individual therapy
Couples therapy
Counselling for children
Parent and Child Sessions

Sessions are available in person from my private practice in Leek, Staffordshire, or online across the UK.

→ View fees and session deta ils

Next Steps

Not sure where to start?

Not sure if therapy is for you, or unsure where to start? Get in touch for a free 10-minute call. It’s informal, no pressure, and a chance to see if we click before committing to anything.

→ Contact Vanessa