Dean Richardson

Dean Richardson ~ "a proper counsellor…" ~ now in his 27th Year of practice.

What's this term: "A Proper Counsellor…"  ?
Some years ago, I ran into an old, highly experienced colleague at the Hampshire Mental Health exhibition. She told me that over the years she'd referred people to my counselling services, but that when it came to my specialities in men's and sexuality counselling, she spoke of a student who had described to her the type of person they thought they'd seek counselling from.

"Oh no!!" exclaimed my colleague to the student. "You don't want to work with those! You must see a proper counsellor; go find Dean Richardson…"

... and I think the use of her term is rather appropriate.

"Counsellor" is not a protected title in the UK, so anyone can call themselves this (have you noticed "debt counsellors" or "holiday counsellors"?). This scenario is where my colleague's student was heading into trouble; they were about to engage with someone who wasn't appropriately qualified as a therapy counsellor, who appeared significantly inexperienced, and had no evidence of suitable supervision in place (perhaps even having no insurance…).
 

• WHY WOULD YOU CONSIDER ME FOR COUNSELLING? 
I am the counsellor you'd consider working with because of my exceptional combination of experience (now entering my 27th year), my core qualifications (see below) and my focus on working with blokes (regardless of sexual identity), plus gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer (LGBTQ+) and every fabulous identity between now and Christmas.

I have developed a thorough understanding of human behaviour and the complexities of the mind through years of education, hands-on training, and private practice. I'm a good listener, offering digestible feedback and thoughts, and I avoid pathologising (i .e. using labels in order to avoid focusing on actual symptoms & experiences, cos that's bad, m'kay). 

I have been described as having "an uncanny ability to read situations", which means that I often notice things that the client is ignoring (or needs to ignore right now for good reasons) - which, when fed back in manageable portions, can be a game-changer for a client, couple throuple or group.

All of these factors contributed to providing a safe, non-judgemental, non-pathologising environment for you to express your thoughts, feelings, and puzzlement, alone or with your partner(s).

I express myself in plain English, and when you find it helpful, I can discuss psychological ailments, theories and ideas in plain English too; for many it often helps to learn that what you're experiencing is not unusual (others experience it too) and there are ways forward that we can discover together.

… plus, at times (according to some who have worked with me), I'll also join in with a bloody good laugh (!).

While I currently (2020-) have a focus on working with men's specific needs (be they LGBTQ+, gay, bi, straight, sexually agnostic or gender under construction), as a male counsellor I'm skilled in a variety of therapeutic approaches, allowing me to tailor my responses to meet the specific needs of each individual, couple, or group engaged in therapy. Whether you're dealing with personal, relationship, or career issues, I'll be committed to assisting you in finding (re-)solutions, discovering the changes you might desire (not every one of us even knows what those desires might be when we first enter counselling), and then putting them into practice. I'll give you the support and containment you'll need to grow and overcome the many obstacles that life has thrown at you.

Experience with Secure Video/Online…
During the Emergency Times of 2019/20, plenty of counsellors suddenly added (then removed, then later re-added!) a video service to their practices – a service that they had not offered prior to the lockdowns.

Yet, when considering who you might want to work with on Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp Video or Google Meet (rest in peace, Skype) it's helpful to know that I already had over 12 years of experience working online via webcam/video conferencing at that time... (which means I have 18 years of video counselling experience todate). So, that was over a decade of experience in online video counselling work, more than a significant number of other counsellors in your area.

Plus, I didn't remove my video conferencing counselling service when we moved out of Lockdown. 

Y'know… just sayin'  ;)
 

• SERVICES AVAILABLE.
Now into my 27th year of practice, I've amassed a great deal of experience whilst also focusing upon particular areas of counselling:-

• Individual Counselling: where an individual seeks understanding of their troubles, along with symptom relief.
• Couples Counselling: for couples seeking therapy wishing to resolve their own issues and avoid becoming dependent upon a 3rd-party's directives.
• Throuples Counselling: yup... a counsellor who works with "threelationships".  I work with relationships that contain three equal partners.
• Counselling for Small Groups: (such as polycules, polyamorous groups, ethical non-monogamous groups, etc.) where a relationship between 6-to-8 people is in conflict.
• Counselling for Blokes: the shoulder men lean on when it's all going a bit Pete Tong...
• A specialist focus on LGBTQ+ Relationship Counselling (see: https://LGBTCoupleCounselling.co.uk - sorry, links not allowed in this text)

I'm a skilled Zoom, Teams, Meet, WhatsApp, and Skype (rip) telecounselling / video conferencing operator – working online for those who cannot reach my physical locations or who simply want to work with me from their remote location (at home, in the office, in the car, in the park (when it's safe), etc.).

Yes, some clients even like to sit outside on a park bench (being mindful of their privacy) or in their car when returning from a business trip while speaking with me on their videophone for their counselling session. I have no problems with this and can advise/guide you as to where it is safe for you to call into a counselling session.
 

• WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID.
I regularly ask new clients: "how did you hear about me?" in order to learn what they were searching for and how they imagined I'd be able to help.

Some responses stand out in my memory (paraphrased):-

• "I liked how frank your website was; not a fluffy, generic template with clouds and sea scenes."
• "You come across as 'down to earth', and I was worried about wafting scarves and painting my 'feelings'."
• "You're the only one who says: 'f***' !' on the website."
• "No-one else's profile said that they worked with straight men [...who thought they might be gay]."
• "You explain things in plain English."
• "I thought you(r profile) seemed very kind."
• "I wanted a frankly speaking bloke."
• [as a gay couple] "we wanted an elder-gay couples therapist."
• "You were the only one working with MOMs" [mixed sexually-orientated marriages].
• "I'm sure other counsellors would work with a transvestite, but you were the only one whose website actually said you do."
  
• "Our last counsellor wouldn't shut up."
• "We're in a long-distance relationship, and you(r website says that you) help with couples who are living 1,000s of miles apart."
• "My doctor / GU Clinic / friend / work recommended you."
• "We contacted you because you're the only one we found discussing counselling for gay throuples."

But, of course, you too will form your own impression of me when you read this profile and look through my website (go look, now!). Maybe soon I'll be asking you too: "how did you hear about me?"
 

• LGBT/QIA+ COUPLES, THROUPLES AND GROUPS.
If you're a gay couple, throuple or polycule / non-monogamous relationship, you might like to take a look at my other therapy website:

https://LGBTCoupleCounselling.co.uk/

…for LGBTQ+ partners looking for support with their most precious of relationships.

(You'll have to copy and paste that URL into your web browser – sorry: Counselling Directory doesn't allow website links here).
 

• IN CLOSING...
There's a lot more to say, but rather than trying to fit it all here, I'd recommend you visit one of my websites, where you'll find a wealth of information organised into relevant pages for you to consider.

Bonus: my websites include my currently available hourly appointments, too.

See you over there...

Other Areas of Speciality:

• Counselling for Men: "Bloke's Problems" - sometimes the concept of "two blokes talking about it over a (metaphorical) pint" can be very rewarding when adding an effective counselling approach that men can use.
• Online Video Counselling (19 years' experience) via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet and WhatsApp Video.
• Platonic / non-intimate couple relationships (e.g., business partners, flatmates, friends, etc.).
• Gay / Lesbian / Mixed LGBTQ+ / GSRD couple counselling.
• Gay / Lesbian / Mixed LGBTQ+ / GSRD individual counselling.
• Gay / Lesbian / Mixed LGBTQ+ / GSRD throuple counselling.
• Polyamorous Relationship Groups (e.g. relationship conflicts, etc.).
• Sexual identity/sexuality issues/LGBT lifestyle issues.
• Gender Identity (transgender, fluid, questioning, etc.)

STANDARD FEES:
Session times are 50 minutes unless otherwise stated. Other session lengths are available.

INDIVIDUALS' COUNSELLING:
£65.00/session
…optionally: £110.00 for 90 minutes.

COUPLES' COUNSELLING:
£85.00/session
…optionally: £150.00 for 90 minutes.

THROUPLES / GROUPS (e.g. established polyamorous groups):
£50.00 per person per 90 minute session
…minimum 3 people, maximum 8.

Fee Reduction for Low Income / Hardship.

• As an independent, private counsellor, I can discuss lower session fees with you according to your financial circumstances and help you find a fee per session that you can responsibly afford.
• My scheme is for those who are not in full-time employment (etc.). It's a scheme to support those with financial hardship, rather than for those looking to save some money.
• You're invited to bring this up when you contact me - lower fees are not offered simply by asking; we will have a discussion about what you can responsibly afford, your savings, and your compulsory and optional expenses to help us find a per-session rate that you can afford.
• I have a limited number of available places in the scheme. See my website for details about fee reviews.

How to Pay.
Session fees are payable on the day, prior to each session:

• You may use your banking app to make a free BACS (bank-transfer) payment.
• In person or online via PayPal & Zettle, I accept credit and debit card payments without any additional fees.

Zoom & Teams Video Counselling Logistics.

See https://HavantCounselling.com/video for details.

See https://LGBTCoupleCounselling.co.uk/video for details specific to LGBT/QIA+ Couples & Throuples.

Video counselling takes place wherever you feel safe and secure. You will need the (free) Teams or Zoom software installed on a device with video and audio (two individual devices if you and your partner ask for video couple / throuple counselling).

Your device must be connected to a suitably swift broadband connection (roaming / smartphone data access can work too for those calling in from the car or their hotel room).

Many clients find that maximising my video on the device helps them to feel that they are in the same room as I, and using earphones/microphone helps mitigate annoying audio screeching/feedback.

Other than not being in the same room as each other, counselling follows the same practice that I have been offering for years:-

• You both will begin the session on the hour at the same time each week.
• The session proceeds for 50 minutes and ends at 10-to the hour.
• You must be in a safe place where no-one will disturb you (or overhear you) during the session. You must not call in from a public place, such as a cafe or pub, etc., but secluded public places (e.g. a park or from within your car) may be an option.
• The session fee becomes due on the day of the session, and you are invited to pay prior to the session (e.g. via using my website or making a BACS payment).
• During the first session, we may extend our time by several minutes so that we can ensure everything technological is working OK. If you cannot get everything working, we may discuss rescheduling the session with no additional charge.