Dean Richardson

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he/him
(MNCPS) ~ Couples, Throuples, Individuals, Groups: LGBT/QIA+
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

Portsmouth PO5 & Havant PO9
Available for new clients
Available for new clients

This professional is available for new clients.

About me

Dean Richardson ~ "a proper counsellor…" ~ celebrating his 25th year of practice!

During the Emergency Times of 2019/20, many counsellors suddenly added (then later re-added!) a video service to their practices that had not previously been offered. When considering who you might want to work with on Zoom & Skype, etc., it's helpful to know that I already had over 15 years of experience working online via webcam/video conferencing... so that'd be 15 years more experience in online counselling work than a significant number of other counsellors in your area. Plus, I didn't remove the service when we moved out of Lockdown. Just sayin', y'know... ;)

By the way... where does that term: "A Proper Counsellor" come from?
So, around fifteen years ago, I ran into an old colleague at a Hampshire Mental Health exhibition. She told me that over the years she'd referred people to my private counselling service, but when it came to my specialties in men's and sexuality counselling, she told me about a student of hers who had described the therapists she thought she might work with.

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

I think the term is rather appropriate. "Counsellor" is not a protected title, so anyone can call themselves this whilst seeming to offer an effective counselling service. This is where my colleague's student got into trouble; she was about to pay to see someone who wasn't properly qualified, experienced, and supervised (and maybe not even insured?!) to handle her therapy needs.
 

Why would you Choose Dean?
I am the counsellor you'd choose to work with because of my exceptional combination of qualifications and experience (now into my 25th year). I have a thorough understanding of human behaviour and the complexities of the mind as a result of years of education, hands-on training, and private practice. I'm a compassionate listener - and someone who has been described as having "an uncanny ability to read a situation", providing a safe, non-judgmental, and non-pathologising environment for you to express your thoughts, feelings, and puzzlement.

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 everyone 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.
 

Services Available.
Now into my 25th year of practice,
I've amassed a great deal of experience whilst also focusing 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 3rd-party directives.
  • Throuples Counselling: yup... how many other counsellors promote their experience with working with "threelationships"? I work with relationships containing 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.

I'm a skilled Zoom & Skype 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, office, car etc).

Yes, some clients even like to sit outside on a park bench (being mindful of their privacy) whilst speaking with me over Zoom, Skype etc for their 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 like how frank you come across, not like some fluffy-template websites!"
  • "You're the only one who says: 'f***' !' on their website"
  • "No-ones website said that they worked with straight men [...who thought they might be gay]."
  • "You work with polyamorous groups over Zoom."
  • "You speak in my kind of language."
  • "I thought you(r profile) seemed very kind."
  • "I wanted a frankly-speaking bloke."
  • [as a gay couple] "we wanted an elder-gay couple counsellor".
  • "You were the only one working with MOMs" [mixed sexually-orientated marriages].
  • "No other counsellor's website explicitly discussed transvestism, so I came to you."
  • "Our last counsellor wouldn't shut up."
  • "We're in a long-distance relationship, and you(r website says that you) counsel couples who are living 1,000s of miles apart."
  • "My doctor / GU Clinic / friend / work recommended you.'
  • 'We chose you because you're the only one (in the UK) who advertises therapy with 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?"

LGBTQIA+ Couples, Throuples &: Groups...
If you're a gay couple, throuple or polycule / non-monogamous relationship, you might like to take a look at my other 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: a Counselling Directory restriction!)

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.

See you over there...

Training, qualifications & experience

PRIMARY AWARDS:

  • Qualifying Diploma in Psychodynamic Individual Counselling.
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Psychodynamic & Systemic Couple Counselling for Adult Relationships.
  • IGA Foundation Certificate in Group Analysis.
  • Certificates in Working with Sexual Offenders (Stopso.org.uk)
  • Certificate in Online Counselling (inc Skype video).
  • Certificate(s) in Brief/Time-Limited Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.
  • Certificate in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy Skills (Cognitive Behavioural Approach).
  • Accredited Registrant member of National Counselling Society: MNCS(Accred. Reg.).

Please note that I work only with adults (18 years old and over). The areas of counselling dealing with "child related issues" are about an adult's past childhood and issues so related.

Experience:

  • 24th year of counselling practice (commenced 1999) plus 15+ years of online video counselling (Zoom, Skype, etc).
  • IBM-trained Mentor/Coach & Group Facilitator (commenced 1997).
  • Couple counselling (post-grad diploma) since 2009 (systemic/psychodynamic focus)
  • Group counselling (Foulkesian focus) via IGA "National Foundation in Group Analysis".
  • Cognitive Behavioural Approach (CBT-based counselling) via Hemmfipsych's "CBT With Heart"

Specialities:

  • LGBT /QIA+… couples, individuals and small groups.
  • Service: "Counselling for Blokes".
  • Men with Unwanted Sexual Behaviour… Pre-Sexual Offence Counselling for men self-identifying problems with online pornography or troubling sexual thoughts & behaviour.
  • Polyamorous… groups, couples and individuals.
  • Focused short-term… dynamic psychotherapeutic approaches.
  • Longer-term… and open-ended work.

Member organisations

Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

NCPS
National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society (NCPS)

The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society

This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations.

In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Accredited register membership

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

National Counselling & Psychotherapy Society

Other areas of counselling I deal with

Other Areas of Speciality:

  • Counselling for Men: "Bloke's Problems" - sometimes the concept of "two blokes talking about it over a pint" can be very powerful when adding an effective counselling approach (... and without the actual pints, 'natch!). My caseload is fully taken up, regularly, by men.

  • Online Skype & Zoom video counselling (13 years experience!)
  • Platonic / non-intimate couple relationships (eg business partners, flatmates, friends etc.).
  • Gay / Lesbian / Mixed LGBT /Q / GSRD couple counselling.
  • Gay / Lesbian / Mixed LGBT /Q / GSRD individual counselling.

  • Polyamorous Relationship Groups (e.g. Relationship conflicts etc).

  • Sexual Identity / sexuality issues / LGBT lifestyle issues.
  • Gender Identity (transgender, questioning, etc.)
  • Support groups.

Photos & videos

Fees

£30.00 - £75.00

Concessions offered for

  • Low income
  • Keyworkers
  • Trainee counsellors
  • Unemployed

Additional information

Standard Fees:
Session times are 50 minutes unless otherwise stated. Other session lengths are available.

Individuals' Counselling:
£55/session
…optionally: £95 for 90 minutes.

Couples' Relationship Counselling:
£75/session
…optionally: £130 for 90 minutes.

Groups (eg Established Polyamorous Groups):
£40 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; helping you find a per-session fee 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 some to save some money.
  • I have a limited number of places. See my website for details about fee reviews.


How to Pay.
Session fee is payable on the day - prior - to each session:-

  • You may use your banking app to make a free BACS (bank-transfer) payment.
  • I accept credit & debit card payments in person or online via PayPal & iZettle (no additional fees are added when you pay by card).

When I work

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Night
  • Fridays: are by prior arrangement.
  • Please see my website for hour-by-hour listings of available appointments and how my waiting lists operate…

Further information

Zoom & Skype Video Counselling Logistics.

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

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

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

Your device must be connected a suitably swift broadband connection. Many clients find that maximising my video upon 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 should be in a safe place where no-one will disturb you during the session.
  • The session fee becomes due on the day of the session, and you are invited to pay prior to the session (eg via using my website).
  • During the first session, we may extend the session 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.

Travel Logistics for my Havant location:-

  • Car Parking costs: free car parking along residential side roads (e.g. South Street), in the supermarkets (about 10 minutes walk) or around £2.00 for any of the several car parks in the area (see my website for car parking details).

    Bus Routes:
  • Around a dozen routes all that arrive at Havant Bus Station (see website for details).
  • My Havant rooms are a 5 minute walk from the bus station.
  • Train Services:
  • Closest train station: Havant.
  • 5 minutes walk from the train station.
  • Regular trains to/from London, Brighton, Chichester, Southampton etc.

Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO5

Havant, Hampshire, PO9

Type of session

Online

Types of client

Adults
Older adults
Couples
Groups
Organisations

Key details

Wheelchair user access
Wheelchair user access

Wheelchair-accessible premises should have step-free access for wheelchair users and individuals who are unable to climb stairs. If a Counsellor's premises aren't step-free, they may offer alternative services such as telephone/web-based appointments, home visits, or meeting clients in different location, so you can choose the option that suits you best.

You can contact the Counsellor to discuss the options available.

Under the Equality Act 2010 service providers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that individuals with disabilities can access their service. You can read more about reasonable adjustments to help you to access services on the CAB website.

Designated disabled-use car parking outside my entrance gate. Counselling room is street level (ground floor, slight bump when going through door). Toilet facilities designed for accessibility. See website for details.

Online platforms

Skype
Whatsapp
Zoom

Social

Dean Richardson
Dean Richardson