Art Psychotherapy with Vanessa

01/02/2026

When we work with image, colour, and form, we’re not aiming to produce something polished. We’re giving inner experience a place to land. Images emerge before explanations. Choices happen before analysis. And sometimes, meaning follows afterwards.

In the creative process, people may begin to notice:
• emotions that were difficult to name
• patterns in how they relate or protect themselves
• long-held tensions or long-forgotten strengths
• feelings that sit side-by-side, rather than neatly resolved

Insight in art therapy rarely arrives as a dramatic “aha.” More often, it’s a subtle moment of alignment — a sense of something inside has been accurately seen.

The artwork becomes a conversation partner: reflective, containing, and unexpectedly honest.

No artistic training is needed — only a willingness to stay present and curious with what appears.

01/02/2026

Posts like this often present relationship guidance as rules — but in therapy we understand these more as skills that develop over time, not switches we flip overnight.

They speak to core healing themes: attachment, boundaries, self-worth, trust, and nervous system safety. These capacities are built through awareness, experience, repair, and support — not pressure or self-criticism.

From a therapeutic perspective, these ideas connect to:

• Choosing reciprocal connection instead of chasing emotional availability
• Repairing self-worth so care doesn’t have to be over-earned
• Learning that consistency matters more than intensity
• Developing boundaries that reduce repeated emotional harm
• Protecting nervous system regulation — not through avoidance, but through wise relational choice
• Giving yourself permission to step back without guilt or self-betrayal

Growth here is rarely instant. It is patterned, embodied, and relational. Discomfort around these themes doesn’t mean failure — it often signals where healing is still in progress.

Art Therapy Reflection Activity: “My Relational Safety Map”

Take a page and divide it into three simple areas using colour or shape:
1. Relationships that feel regulating
Draw, colour, or symbolise qualities of people who feel safe and steady.
2. Relationships that feel dysregulating
Use abstract marks, colour, or texture — no need for names or detail.
3. What supports my boundaries and peace
Add images, words, or symbols to represent protection, steadiness, or self-advocacy.

No artistic skill needed — focus on expression, not appearance.

When finished, notice:
What patterns do you see?
What does your nervous system respond to in each area?

22/10/2025

Rediscovering the Healing Power of Dance – Through the Eyes of a Child
Somatic Movement, Art Therapy & the Joy of Co-Regulation

Today I had the pleasure of supporting my daughter, who teaches musical theatre, in creating a dance routine for little ones.

Watching children naturally move with freedom reminds me why, in art therapy, we often return to the body as a gateway to healing. Before we develop verbal language, we communicate with body language. The nervous system learns safety, connection, and regulation through rhythm, gesture, and shared joy.

🔷 The Somatic Science Behind Dance in Therapy:

Movement regulates the nervous system. It stimulates the ventral vagal system (our social engagement and safety pathway), helping us shift from stress responses into calm connection.

Rhythmic dance supports co-regulation. When we move in sync with others—just as children naturally do—we activate mirror neurons and deepen feelings of belonging.

In art therapy, dance and movement are part of creative embodiment practices, helping individuals process emotions that may be difficult to express verbally.

🔷 Dance;

✔ Reconnects us to play – a powerful antidote to burnout and anxiety
✔ Releases stored tension and emotional energy from the body
✔ Builds emotional resilience through movement, expression, and rhythm
✔ Helps children (and adults) regulate their emotions naturally.

🌿 Try This Simple Movement Practice to Regulate Your Nervous System 🌿

A gentle somatic art therapy exercise you can do in under 3 minutes

You don’t need to be a dancer to use movement for emotional regulation. Your body already knows the way — we just need to give it permission to move intuitively.

🔷 ✨ The Wave Movement Practice ✨

1. Stand or sit comfortably
gently close your eyes and take a slow breath in through the nose, out through the mouth.
2. Begin with your hands
imagine your hands are moving through water. Let them flow up and down in gentle wave-like motions, without force or structure.
3. Let the movement spread
allow your arms, shoulders, and torso to naturally join in. Think ripple, not performance. There is no right or wrong.
4. Add the breath
inhale as the movement rises, exhale as it falls. Your breath becomes part of the dance — your internal rhythm guiding your external flow.
5. Notice what changes
do you feel warmth? Softening? A shift in mood or energy? This is your nervous system moving toward regulation.

Alternatively, hit the dance floor! 🙂

25/09/2025

Hello again after a few months of not posting, and a little while since my last sessions as ‘Finding Hygge’. I’m not sure if facebooks algorithm’s will serve the page due to a reluctance to pay, but here goes.

I wanted to share my good news and also relate to anyone going through any transitions in their lives.

I have recently joined a CQC registered mental health practice; ReconnectNow Ltd, based in Bolton, from where I will have a caseload of schools and other clients to visit, to carry out group, and one to one art therapy. I will have availability for private clients and welcome anyone who feels they might benefit from therapy to make contact. I offer a sliding scale of rates, depending on circumstances. Please feel free to call or WhatsApp for a nonjudgemental and free 30 minute consultation/chat.

When we decide to make changes in our lives, it doesn’t usually come about over night. It is often imbued with complexities, requiring more than one change to bring the bigger picture to fruition. Overwhelming!! Born from a drip effect of which we often ignore so we can take care of others needs, or remain in what we perceive as secure and safe. I could write an essay but will refer to the said metaphor;

When drips continue to be collected and stored in a vessel, and we spend our time and effort on not allowing it to spill, where does it go and what will it do to the vessel… I imagine it would cause damage and reach a point where it can no longer be ignored. It’s also worth acknowledging that when this state has been identified, it might not be the most sensible thing to release all you have stored at once.

My point being, real change and adjustments take time, and we won’t always get the details of how it should come about right. Surround yourself with people who understand your journey, and hold healthy boundaries with those who don’t. Be brave. One step at a time. And be kind to yourself. It is only you who truly knows your story. You deserve what you see as your right life.

28/05/2025

A large part of healing comes from being held safely and consistantly. The brains amygdala stops alerting the body to react, sometimes disproportionately - when repeated safe and pleasant experiences are had. It’s about how we feel in our bodies. Although therapists can offer safety, creative and somatic experiences, with emotional and mental support, it is inevitably important for personal relationships to be addressed too. We mustn’t underestimate the power of affection from someone who feels safe. ‘Safe’ might not feel comfortable initially for someone who has trauma in their bodies - it is important to become attuned to the thoughts and felt sense of experiences. Studies show many aspects of our physiology adapting, such as an increase in lymphocytes (immune system) almost immediately with a simple stroking of an arm from a ‘safe’ person. The nervous system has a direct impact on our immune systems.

30/04/2025

“Like walking through meat in high heels” a quote from ‘Road’ featuring Jane Horrocks. A powerful and poignant statement relating to suffering and struggle.

A friend held a talk about his artwork recently at The Whitaker - where he invited Jane Horrocks due to the inspiration (and the parallels drawn) she has been to his work. (great to meet her..The Witches)

His work highlights societal issues and systems affecting everyday people, while celebrating the creativity and fighting spirit, often displayed by the working class.

Many people admirably strive to come up against issues to improve their lives in difficult circumstances, but what is the cost to their health. Making sustainable change incrementally, is often kinder to the nervous system, and while some situations inevitably require a robust response, some should perhaps be taken in the words of Maggie Smith (below). What steps can you take today to edge nearer to where you want to be?

20/03/2025

Spring equinox; what a morning to be sat outside soaking up the suns energy, before a busy day 🌳

A musing and an update…

Art psychotherapy will remain a private and confidential service offered via clinical referral, from professional bodies only - I wanted to clarify this after getting a number of enquiries (and should update my website).

What I am offering in the community is a seperate yet synonymous strand, of art for well being and learning of technical drawing/painting. Although therapeutic by nature, it does not involve any actual therapy processes.
The next life drawing class will be held at The Drop Off in Edenfield, on March the 29th. If you want to learn the skill of drawing or enhance your practice, please visit their website to book on. It’s a beautiful environment full of the loveliest souls. I look forward to seeing everyone.☀️

https://thedropoff.co/event/life-drawing/

14/02/2025

New life drawing dates. Being passionate about wanting the arts to be more accessible and unpretentious, I have reduced the price to reflect that as much as is possible. The classes are suitable for anyone wanting to learn the skill of drawing, or enhance their ability - but it’s also a space to explore freedom of expression; without engaging in therapy, if that isn’t something you are comfortable with, or necessary.

I would love to see you there. On the subject of love - Happy Valentines- whether your celebration of love is for a romantic partner, your children, a friend, an animal, a project, yourself, or all the above 💛

https://thedropoff.as.me/schedule/9ac27950/?appointmentTypeIds%5B%5D=71643014

04/02/2025

We’re in the process of organising this as a monthly event. It was great to get such positive feedback. Below are one of the participant comments. Hoping to see you at the next one ✨

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the life drawing with Vanessa ! The Drop Off was the perfect venue !!!! It was so lovely and relaxing and Vanessa's so talented and inspirational! I loved looking at others drawings and meeting different people. I havnt done life drawing for about 20 years and this brought it all back. Since Saturday , so many of my friends in the local area have said they would love to join in… “💕

27/01/2025

A must see 🌸

It's almost time to add a little 'spring' to our step 💐

13/01/2025

Flowers, because we generally look forward to Spring. A time to slowly unfurl our petals having held tightly to keep warm and buckle down in darkness. Like many flowers, you may have ‘gone to ground’ for various reasons and be starting from what feels like the beginning. Whilst we have almost two more months of winter, we can consider how we want to open going forward. Depending on your position, you may have had harsh conditions in need of more tender loving care before being ready to bloom. If you don’t bloom at your brightest this year, we will all have seasons like this - it might be necessary to retain energy due to invisible work. Each circumstance is different, but how will you move into the next season, and what preparations can you make now to ensure your nourishment and growth. 🌸

06/01/2025

A spontaneous visit to the Van Gogh Immersive experience in York tonight. Having a fine art background can bring a bit of seriousness in wanting to see original paintings, (for good reason often…emotive energy etc) however, it’s always enriching to rethink knowledge and have a different perspective based on a contemporary presentation. Two of my girls enjoyed thinking about why he had such a strong language, and why he was a vessel for his times - some may say, not so out of place now…