Art Psychotherapy with Vanessa

11/08/2026

I have a couple of spaces available in the evening, starting September. Please get in touch to discuss further or if you have questions

09/08/2026

Observation, curiosity, concentration, sensory engagement and creative expression all encourage us to slow down and become more attentive to our internal and external worlds.

This is one of the reasons art therapy can be so valuable. Rather than focusing on the production of aesthetically pleasing work, the emphasis is placed upon the relationship between image-making, reflection and meaning-making. Experiences that are difficult to articulate verbally can often be explored more safely and effectively through metaphor, symbol and creative process.

This is why museums and galleries can be such powerful spaces. They invite us to move beyond passive observation and into dialogue with an image, a story or an idea.

Artemis: a figure associated with independence, intuition, protection and the natural world. In slowing down sufficiently to study the image, the artist is reminded that creativity is not always concerned with producing something new. Sometimes its value lies in paying closer attention to what is already there.

Health & wellness website

22/06/2026

✨ A little update from me… ✨

I’m currently in the exciting (and slightly chaotic!) process of officially launching Neuronest — a space rooted in creativity, psychology, nervous system regulation, and therapeutic support.

Alongside my ongoing clinical work, I now have capacity to welcome more private clients from the community and would love to connect with individuals, parents, schools, professionals, and families looking for support.

I offer a warm, relational approach grounded in art psychotherapy, psychoeducation, and trauma informed practice, supporting children, young people, adults, and families with emotional wellbeing, regulation, trauma, anxiety, and life challenges.

If you’ve been thinking about seeking support for yourself, your child, or someone close to you, please feel free to reach out for an informal chat — I’m always happy to discuss whether I might be the right fit.

You may also start to see Neuronest leaflets and business cards dotted around the local community over the coming days, as I begin sharing more about the services and spaces I’ll be offering. If you happen to see one, feel free to say hello! 🙂

I’d also love to connect with family-related local businesses and community spaces — such as baby groups, children’s activity providers, schools, nurseries, wellbeing spaces, and parent-focused services. If you feel Neuronest could complement what you offer through collaboration, workshops, or shared resources, please do get in touch.

A quick note: if you were to look me up via Psychology Today or Counselling Directory, my profiles may temporarily not appear while my maiden ‘Quinlan’ name is being updated. This is because my HCPC registration needs to verify it first, and once this is updated, the other directories can complete their verification too.
My new email if you want to make contact is: [email protected]

06/05/2026

I’ve taken this from the bookshelf this morning for a young person I’m working with to look at. I think he will take something from it. We all need a bit of Charlie Mackesy in our lives sometimes. A beautiful grounding book. ✨

18/03/2026

Therapy dogs 🐶
Like many in the healing professions, I’ve had the privilege of being around some of the best in the business 😊

I’ve seen them get to work in a hospice, and education environment - worth their weight in gold. ☺️

🧬 Oxytocin increases
(the “bonding & safety” hormone linked to trust, connection, and emotional regulation) 
• ↓ Cortisol decreases
(the body’s main stress hormone) 
• ❤️ Heart rate and stress responses reduce
even in high-stress situations 
• 🤝 Co-regulation happens between human and dog
meaning nervous systems begin to synchronise and settle together.

I’m looking forward to working alongside Ada, Heidi, and Bessie today ✨

11/03/2026

For every act of harm or cruelty in life, there are countless acts of kindness.

People helping strangers.
Someone offering patience instead of anger.
A child realising empathy feels better than street credibility.
I’ve witnessed all of this and more today. This is down to capacity of course so no judgement for those who can’t give some days.

These moments rarely make headlines, but they are happening everywhere, every day.

It can be easy to believe the darker parts of humanity are winning. And sometimes that feeling is completely understandable. But when we pause and look, there are many people choosing compassion, care, and generosity.

I’m grateful for the people who I have seen choosing kindness.

10/03/2026

Today I’m feeling grateful for a slightly different kind of work day.

My daughter, who is currently studying psychology, has been spending some time with me while I worked from home today as work experience. It’s been really lovely having conversations about psychology, therapy, and the many different ways people come into this field.

Today has been more of an admin and planning day rather than a client-facing one, which made it a good opportunity to talk about the ideas behind the work. I also took her through some of the assessment methods and frameworks that help guide therapeutic practice and support understanding of people’s needs.

She hasn’t accessed anything confidential or client related. But it has been good to share some of the thinking and creativity that sits behind therapeutic practice.

There’s something special about sharing knowledge across generations and seeing that curiosity about understanding people and supporting wellbeing.

And of course… an extra pair of hands to keep the tea flowing always helps ☕️

09/03/2026

During therapy we sometimes use objects to discuss memories and identity. A piece of jewellery, a favourite scarf, a well-worn jumper — they can quietly hold moments from other places, people, and times.

These earrings came from a holiday - I immediately feel uplifted when I wear them, largely due to the memory attached. Today I noticed they match the stitching on my waistcoat. Small pleasures ✨

As well as being memory cues, clothes are a form of expression, and today I am looking forward to Spring being in full bloom, and anticipate the experiences to be had.

08/03/2026

As I prepare a Sunday roast on International Women’s day, I’m feeling deeply grateful for these three incredible humans I get to call my daughters.

They are funny, intelligent, strong, and endlessly entertaining, and moments like this remind me how lucky I am to watch them grow into themselves. The laughter, the curiosity, the way they support each other… it fills my heart.

Raising them is one of the greatest privileges of my life.

Grateful for their humour, their minds, their strength, and the joy they bring into the world (and into my life) every single day.