Dean Richardson

Dean Richardson ~ "a proper counsellor…" ~ marking his 26th year of practice.

What's this term: "A Proper Counsellor" ?
Around sixteen years ago, I ran into an old colleague at the Hampshire Mental Health exhibition. She told me that over the years she'd referred people to my various counselling services, but when it came to my specialities in men's and sexuality counselling, she told me about a student of hers who had been describing the male counsellors they thought they might work with.

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

... and I think the term is rather appropriate. "Counsellor" is not a protected title, so anyone can call themselves this while appearing to offer a helpful counselling service. This is where my colleague's student was heading into trouble; they were about to pay to see someone who wasn't appropriately qualified, experienced, nor supervised (and maybe not even insured?!).
 

• WHY WOULD YOU CONSIDER ME? 
I am the counsellor you'd choose to work with because of my exceptional combination of experience (now into my 26th year) and original qualifications. I have developed 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-judgemental, and non-pathologising environment for you to express your thoughts, feelings, and puzzlement.

… and at times (according to some blokes 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 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 they had not offered prior to lockdown. When considering who you might want to work with on Zoom and Skype, etc., it's helpful to know that I already had over 12 years of experience working online via webcam/video conferencing at the time... (which means I have 17 years experience, now). So, that was a decade of experience in online 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. Just sayin' ... ;)
 

• SERVICES AVAILABLE.
Now into my 26th 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.

I'm a skilled Zoom, Teams & 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, 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 liked how frank your website was; not a fluffy-template."
• "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 transvestites, but you were the only one [in the area] whose website actually says 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: 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.

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 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.

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' Relationship Counselling:
£95.00/session
…optionally: £145.00 for 90 minutes.

Throuples / Groups (e.g. established polyamorous groups):
£55.00 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, helping 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.
• 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.

• Fridays: are by prior arrangement.
• Please see my website for hour-by-hour listings of available appointments and how my waiting lists operate…

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 over hear you) during the session. You must not call in from a public place, such as cafe or pub etc.
• 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.