Emily Richardson

Thank you for visiting my page. I am a registered therapist with over 16 years experience in the field supporting people navigate lifes challenges. I work Integratively which means that I draw from different approaches to therapy such as the Person Centred and Psychodynamic approach. I may incorporate CBT techniques, tailoring my approach to meet the needs of each clients unique needs. I currently run my own private practice offering sessions open ended or time limited, face to face or online.

My area of expertise include supporting individuals of all ages with difficulties in relationships, anxiety management and trauma recovery. As humans we all experience painful emotions at some point during our lives. Many people find it difficult or embarrassing to talk about thier feelings. They may even feel like a burden to share with a loved one or have no one to talk to. 

Engaging in counselling may feel frightening to look deeper at those painful feelings and experiences. It can sometimes seem easier to avoid them and escape the feelings in various ways such as addictions in hope that they will be forgotten. This tends to leave people feeling lonely, abandoned and confused, sometimes feeling so overwhelmed that they lose sight of themselves in the battle to supress their feelings in order to find temporary relief.

I work with the knowledge that unresolved emotional conflict, whether its rooted from long standing issues from the past, present difficult circumstances or both, can manifest in many detrimental health issues such as, stress, anxiety and depression. As a consequence, we can be susceptible to difficulties such as panic attacks, low self-esteem, shame and guilt and issues with relationship intimacy, unfulfilled/abusive relationship patterns and finding it hard to get a true sense of identity. These human conditions can impact us all.

In my practice I aim to create a warm, safe and trusting environment, without judgement of what you wish to share. So that you can begin to feel safe and secure in relationship with me, comfortable enough to share what is on your mind.

Once this foundation of trust is created, it can allow for deeper levels of understanding and meaning. I believe that in listening and understanding what someone is going through this can open the doors to recovery. The quality of the therapeutic relationship is essential to a successful outcome. 

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. This may include making connections between past events and your current patterns of thinking and behaviour.

You may be suffering with some difficult emotions such as anxiety, panic, shame, worthlessness, hopelessness, depression, grief or loneliness. I work relationally and collaboratively with my clients, empowering them to discover their strengths and build resilience. Whatever it is you are experiencing, together we can unpack these difficult feelings and try to make sense of them.

Through our sessions, you can expect to gain deeper self-understanding, develop effective coping strategies, and achieve a greater sense of well-being and find positve ways for you to live and enhance your life.

I may offer mindfulness meditations, breathing techniques and self soothing exercises, which can help you to centre yourself when feeling overwhelmed.

I have worked at various organisations such as Mind, Suttons women centre, Place2be, The Mulberry centre and Notting Hill and Ealing High school. I have also lectured Counselling skills at a local college. 

Ready to take the first step towards a more fulfilling life? Contact me today to schedule a free 20 minute consultation via telephone or video call. 

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.