Vanessa Talley, Phd, Lcsw, cctp-II
Licensed Psychotherapist/Clinical Director
Dr. Vanessa Talley is an experienced clinician and educator, consultant as well as the founder of Mindful Life Connections, PLLC. She is the creator of SOFTNESS™, a healing framework grounded in softness, safety, and embodied care. Dr. Talley is a certified Women's Mental Health Specialist, an EMDRIA-approved EMDR therapist, and has received advanced training in the Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Therapy, and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
EDUCATION:
Vanessa considers herself a lover of knowledge and student of life, having earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Social Work, a PhD in Counseling, and is currently completing her Doctorate in Social Work.
PROFESSIONAL:
With over a decade of experience in clinical settings, including hospitals, community agencies, and private practice, Vanessa has worked with individuals facing complex mental health issues, chronic and terminal illnesses, and trauma. Drawing from more than 20 years of mindfulness and meditation practice, she combines holistic, evidence-based methods to promote deep healing and transformation.
PASSION:
Vanessa is dedicated to empowering Women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ clients through SOFTNESS™ tools, mindfulness, and the mind-body-spirit connection, assisting them in navigating trauma, building resilience, healing, and reclaiming their emotional and mental well-being.
Mindfulness and meditation practitioner
My Mindfulness and Meditative Practice
For over 26 years, I have cultivated a dedicated meditation and mindfulness practice that continues to shape both my personal life and professional work. What began as a path toward inner peace has evolved into a deeply embodied way of being, one rooted in presence, awareness, and compassionate self-connection.
My practice is not separate from my work, it is the foundation of it. Through meditation, I have learned to listen to the body, honor stillness, and create space for healing that is both gentle and transformative. This lived experience informs how I support others in reconnecting with themselves, regulating their nervous systems, and reclaiming softness in a world that often demands otherwise.