Hannah Riches

My name is Hannah Riches and I am passionate about women-centred counselling. I have been qualified as a midwife for 15 years and see counselling as an extension to this role. The word midwife means "with woman" and I see counselling as standing with people through life's highs, lows, changes and challenges. I truly believe that empowering women to tell their stories and make meaningful connections in their lives, is powerful and transformative. From our first steps into womanhood, through to the richness of later years - our stories as women can hold so much. Whether that includes loss, grief, trauma, antenatal or postnatal depression/anxiety, dealing with chronic illness, family life and balance, menopause, children leaving home, retirement and more; I want to work with you to find your voice and also find healing through our work together.

What I firmly believe - both personally and professionally - is that what it means to be a woman is wide-ranging and varied. As an open and inclusive professional, I actively welcome anyone who identifies as a woman, which includes those assigned female at birth, trans women, and those who consider themselves non-binary. Whilst less of my work is with men, I am always happy to consider any potential male clients. I am also happy to sign post to other counsellors for any males for whom I might not be the best 'fit' as a counsellor.

Having worked with many young people, I understand the unique challenges that teenagers face in today's world. From social media pressures to bullying and self-esteem issues; the importance of providing a safe and supportive space for young people to explore their emotions and navigate life's complexities cannot be underestimated. Sometimes it is useful for someone external to their family, school or communities to journey alongside the young person so that they feel safe discussing and discovering themselves. As a parent, it's natural to want the best for your child. My teen counselling services aim to provide your teenager with the tools they need to cope with the challenges they're facing and to empower them to develop resilience and emotional well-being, to navigate the ups and downs of life.

I have had counselling myself at different stages of my life and know both personally and professionally the lifelong positive impact it can have. I feel honoured and privileged to be in this role and to hear people's stories and journey alongside them.

As well as a midwife and counsellor, some other important roles in my life include being a wife, mother, friend, foodie, film lover and nap enthusiast. While I love being around people in many areas of my life, I also value solitude, rest, peace and quiet and a good book.

I do have a limited number of sessions where I can offer concession rates for students, those on parental leave and for other exceptional circumstances assessed on a case by case basis.