Ph.D. in Psychology from Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa and Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the Faculty of Psychology at the University of Lisbon. Her doctoral research focused on the importance of the quality of informal early childhood education environments (Playgroups) and their impacts on children and families. She collaborated on the pilot project "Playgroups for Inclusion," as well as other research projects related to anxiety disorders in children and adolescents.

Vanessa provides psychological counseling sessions for children, adolescents, and young people (individual and group), with a focus on those at risk. She also offers parental counseling.

Active participation in social and community action projects."