Writer, Gardener, and Somatic Psychotherapist-in-Training

Vanessa Blackledge

Hi, my name is Vanessa and I am combining my former career as a writer and editor with my love of gardening for well-being, as I embark on a long-awaited training in Somatic Psychotherapy.

I have a background in dance and music, and experience in neurodiversity, which I will be exploring further through body, horticultural, and psychoanalytical work. I am also interested in the Empathy Spectrum, Ancestral Trauma, and realigning negative neurological conditioning.

Writing

From essays to reviews to poetry, I wrote and edited widely for national and international publications. Samples can be found in the Portfolio.

Gardening

Trained as a gardener by professional parents from babyhood, I now garden for well-being and beauty. You can find me on Instagram.

Psychotherapy

I am currently training to be a Somatic Psychotherapist. After years of personal research into the field, and training with practitioners based in the US, I finally took the plunge last year to become formally qualified in the UK.

A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness; it teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.

~ Gertrude Jekyll