Dean Richardson MNCS(Accred/Reg) ~ Couples, Individuals, Groups, LGBT/Q+

Dean Richardson - a proper counsellor…

During these Emergency Times many counsellors are transitioning their practice to embrace online/video. So, when thinking about who you might like to trust working with online, it's good to know that Dean already has 13+ years experience in working online with Skype & Zoom video - so that'll be 13 years more than a significant number of other counsellors in your area.

What does "Proper Counsellor" mean?
Some ten years ago I met an old colleague at a Hampshire Mental Health exhibition. She told me that during the years she'd referred people to me (as I had to her) but regarding my specialisms around counselling for men and sexuality she told me of the story of a student of hers who had described the therapists she thought she liked the look of.

"Oh no !!" - exclaimed my colleague. "You don't want to work with someone like that. You need to see a proper counsellor; go see Dean Richardson…"

And I think the term is rather appropriate. Because Counselling isn't a protected title anyone can call themselves a counsellor and offer a counselling service. This is where my colleague's student fell into trouble, she was about to go and see someone who wasn't properly qualified nor experienced to contain her needs from therapy.

Services Available.
Over my 22 years practice, I've amassed a great deal of experience and focus upon particular areas of counselling:-

• Individual Counselling: where the individual seeks understanding and symptom relief.
• Couples Counselling: where a couple wish to resolve their own issues and not become dependant upon a therapist for the rest of their lives.
• Counselling for Small Groups: where a relationship between 6-to-8 people is in conflict.

I'm also a skilled Skype and Zoom operator - offering tele-counselling for those who cannot reach my physical locations.

What Others have Said.
I always ask a new client "how did you hear about me?" in order to learn what they are looking for, and how they thought I'd be able to help.

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

• "I like how frank you come across, not like the fluffy-template websites!"
• "You're the only one whose website says: 'f***' !"
• "No ones website actually stated they worked with gay men [who thought they might be straight]."
• "You speak my language."
• "I thought you seemed very kind."
• "I needed a frank-speaking bloke."
• "You were the only one working with MOMs [mixed sexually-orientated marriages]"
• "No other counsellor explicitly discusses transvestism."
  
• "We're in a long-distance relationship and you(r website says that you) counsel couples living over 1,000s miles apart."
• "My doctor / GU Clinic / friend / work recommended you.'

But, of course, you too will take 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?"

There's lots more to say - but rather than to try and lump it all into the one box here, I'd suggest you visit my website where you'll find oodles of info all separated out into relevant pages for you to consider.

See you over there!