Emily Richardson

I am an Integrative Counsellor, this means that I draw from different approaches to counselling in order to work with you to gain a deeper understanding behind what you are struggling with such as depression, anxiety, or feeling stuck or alone in life or in relationship. 

My work includes helping clients of all ages with a broad range of issues. I work with clients who struggle with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, feelings of isolation, low self-esteem, life transitions, loss and bereavement.

I have many years expertise in the field and currently run my own private practice. I work face to face or remotely. I also offer park walk sessions. 

I believe that listening and understanding what someone is going through can open the doors to recovery. The quality of the therapeutic relationship is essential to a successful outcome.  I offer a warm, caring and safe space, without judgement of what you wish to share, an environment where you can feel respected, in the knowledge that what you share is confidential.

I am passionate about what I do. I believe in kindness. Sometimes tough times lead you to lose touch with yourself in life, which can lead to feelings of being unworthy of love and kindness. My aim is to work together with you to enable you to enrich your life, for you to reach your potential, freeing your mind from your difficulties so as to reach clarity within and a more peaceful sense of being and to live a more fulfilling life.

Whatever it is you are experiencing, I understand how frightening it can feel sometimes to talk to someone and to make a decision on which therapist to choose. It is important to me as a therapist for you to feel as comfortable as possible throughout the process, where you can begin to feel safe and at ease enough to share whats on your mind. Please feel free to give me a call/email so that you can get a feel for if I would be someone you feel you would like to work with.

Counselling can be majorly beneficial for many people in a wide variety of situations which may include helping you to cope with depression, anxiety, bereavement, relationship difficulties, sexual or cultural issues and educational problems and having experienced abuse. Counselling offers a place to talk about your personal difficulties that may be stressful, painful or confusing.

I work relationally which involves both the therapist and client working together with the intention to gain a deeper awareness of your difficulties. This may include making connections between past events and your current patterns of behaviours, during the process you will become more self-aware and in doing so this brings choices in how to modify these behaviours and explore new and positive ways for you to live and enhance your life. I draw from different approaches to Counselling such as:

• Psychodynamic Approach
• Person Centered Approach
• Existentialism
• CBT

My approach to Counselling can be influenced by theories that explore our earliest relationships and how they affect us in adult life which may lead to relationship issues. I may look for unhealthy or negative patterns that have been adopted and how we can modify patterns that are no longer helpful to you. In my practise, I also offer mindfulness meditations which can help you to centre yourself, these can be incorporated into the session.

Testimonials that I have kindly received from former clients, published with permission, the name has been altered to protect thier confidentiality:

When I initially started counselling I was stuck in a dark place, life was full of sadness with a daily battle of anxiety. Emily was professional and skilled using various techniques in the sessions that felt personal to me and my journey. Emily is such a kind, genuine person who makes you feel supported and at ease. Emily helped me truly transform my life, building my confidence, helping me to process the past, put in boundaries and learn to smile again. Emily is brilliant at what she does and I would highly reccomend her to anyone. It was the best decison I ever made. Believe you can be happy, just sometimes we need special people to help along the way.

Sarah

I was struggling to find a therapist who felt right for me but by the end of the first session I knew I would continue to work with Emily. It was so scary to start counselling but I was welcomed with a big smile and warmth, I knew I could really trust Emily and she was always so supportive and accommodating to my needs. She helped me rebuild my life when I felt there was no way forward and helped me develop into a strong, resilient and content young women.

Emily helped me to understand my patterns of negative thoughts and taught me techniques to break the cycle. Emily provided a safe, non-judgmental place for me to explore my thoughts, feelings and past experiences. I would highly recommend Emily to anyone who feels they need help and someone to turn to. Thank you for everything you have done for me Emily, you really have helped me to changed my life!

Louise.

I saw Emily for weekly therapy for nearly two years. It was a hugely meaningful and transformative experience that I would wholeheartedly recommend. Emily created a warm, safe, and supportive space where I felt very comfortable sharing my thoughts and feelings, as well as exploring past trauma. Emily’s integrative approach enabled me to understand the root causes of my issues and learn new coping techniques to manage day-to-day struggles. In addition to creating a significant improvement in my mental health, therapy was also the catalyst for seeking out a new career path, and I am now training to become a psychotherapist. With Emily’s support I was able to process past trauma and alleviate present-day symptoms, which empowered me to start my training and draw on my own experiences to help  on their own therapeutic journeys.

Demi.

I started seeing Emily after realising I was having problems with anger, childhood trauma and sexual intimacy. In a matter of months Emily and I had made so much progress namely preventing anger outbursts and finding new methods to control my emotions. We then worked on issues surrounding intimacy and rejection. This saved my relationship and has provided my girlfriend and I with the tools we needed to have a fulfilling sex life. Finally, Emily helped me reconnect with my sister and Dad who I felt were people in my life who were distant. I now spend quality time with both of them and am a lot more like the brother and son I want to be. I couldn’t recommend Emily enough, I am not exaggerating when I say therapy saved my relationship, strengthened the bonds I have with my family and helped me to become someone I am proud of. 

Paul

My current fees are: £75 per 50 minute session. The first initial consultation is charged at a lower fee of £50.

Discounts available for block sessions of 5 or more sessions. 

Your enquiry will be confidential, you do not need to be referred by a GP to make an appointment. When you attend the initial consultation, we will discuss your needs and expectations, and any relevant issues. This will allow us to determine together if Counselling is suitable for you.

There is no obligation to take the therapy further however, if you decide to proceed and feel that I am the right person for you, we can then organise a weekly regular day and time in which we could meet on an ongoing basis. If you do not feel I am the right therapist then I would be happy to refer you to someone who I felt could be suitable for you.