About Nes

Vanessa Bear offers psychotherapy, psychotherapeutic counselling, somatic trauma therapy, yoga therapy and eco-therapy in South Cumbria.

Hello, I’m Vanessa, most people call me Nes. My pronouns are she/they.

After a tricky start to life, I spent much of my twenties recovering from cptsd and anxiety. I explored a broad variety of therapies and approaches, some were incredibly effective, others not at all, for me. This is why I often say that everything is probably good for someone, nothing is good for everyone, the key is to experiment to find out what’s right for you, right now. I’ve had first-hand experience of the benefits of an individualised and varied approach.

This lived experience was the drive to train in psychotherapy and pass forward what had helped and supported my recovery and finding my own sense of calm, strength, belonging, self-compassion and joy for life.

More-than-human relationships, moving my body and mindful awareness have been key resources throughout my life. I love walking in the mountains, swimming in seas, lakes, and rivers, dancing, weaving baskets, cycling up hills, hugs with dogs and horses, climbing, laughing with my friends and family, and lounging in a hammock in the woods.

I've had a variety of jobs and enjoyed what's often called a 'portfolio career'. Although the roles have been quite different, they have all involved my love of working with people, community, social justice, reciprocal relationships with the more-than-human world, and advocating for the wellbeing of all.

In my twenties, I worked as a youth worker in North Manchester, helped set up a community social centre, and founded an award-winning community bike project, where I shared bicycle mechanic skills with people of all ages and walks of life. In my thirties, I worked as a primary school teacher, SEND teacher, Forest School leader and Mountain Leader.

Noticing that the common thread in all this work was being alongside and supporting people who were having a tricky time, it felt like a natural step to train as a psychotherapist.

Approach

I am a UKCP-registered Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Adult Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. I have a private practice in Staveley, near Kendal, in the South Lakes.

I am committed to offering therapy that is individualised, with a focus on improving the quality of life of the people I work alongside. Safety and the therapeutic relationship are priorities for me, and I work collaboratively with clients to explore approaches that suit their needs and preferences.

My ethics are grounded in social justice, and I work from an intersectional perspective.

I draw on a range of theories and approaches, including Transactional Analysis, Gestalt, body psychotherapy, somatic trauma therapy, EMDR, sandtray, play, creativity, movement, mindfulness, yoga therapy and nature connection.

I tend to interweave these creative, embodied, nature-connected and mindful practices throughout my psychotherapeutic work, depending on each individual's needs and preferences. You can read more about how I work on my Principles and Approach page.

Sessions can take place indoors or outdoors, or as a mixture of both. Sometimes outdoor sessions are slow or static, sometimes moving, sometimes in woodlands and sometimes in the fells, depending on individual preference and availability.

Experience

I have experience of working in schools, CAMHS, GP practices, sexual and domestic abuse charities and private practice.

I have extensive experience of working with adults, children and young people who have experienced trauma, including relational and developmental trauma, physical, emotional and sexual abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD (CPTSD).

I also work with people experiencing low self-image, anxiety, panic, overwhelming emotions, grief and eco-anxiety.

I have extensive experience of working with neurodivergent adults, children and young people, including autistic people and those with ADHD, both in psychotherapy and EMDR. I recognise that people experience, communicate and process information in different ways, and adapt therapy to each person's individual needs and preferences. I also work with people who wish to explore their experiences of neurodivergence, including following a diagnosis of autism or ADHD.

I am a member of the Climate Psychology Alliance, which explores psychological responses to the climate crisis. With lived experience of activism, I offer a compassionate and understanding approach to working with activists.

Books, Training and Supervision

I am the co-author, with Babette Rothschild, of the 8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery Workbook and Help for the Helper Workbook, and the author of Wild & Well-Being: 70 Exercises for Nature-Based Self Care. I also assist Babette with her Somatic Trauma Therapy training.

I deliver training and workshops for psychotherapists, counsellors and other helping professionals, with a particular focus on somatic trauma therapy, embodied approaches to trauma recovery, stabilisation and therapist self-care. I also work as a guest lecturer and offer clinical supervision.

You can find more information about my Training & Workshops, Clinical Supervision and upcoming Events.

Additional Qualifications and Experience

I am a qualified and experienced Mountain Leader and Forest School practitioner. These skills can be particularly useful for outdoor and walk-and-talk sessions, including supporting people who find it easier to feel calm and connected in an outdoor setting.

I am also a qualified yoga teacher, trained in Svastha Yoga Therapy and yogic mindfulness.

I have a current DBS certificate, professional indemnity insurance, ICO data protection registration, GDPR training, and outdoor and paediatric first aid certificates.

You can find further information about my training and qualifications on my Credentials page.