Richard Askew, BA (Hons.), PGDip., MBACP | Individuals & Couples

About me

I’m an integrative psychotherapist with 10 years clinical experience, working from a peaceful, relaxing and easily accessible clinic in central Hove. If you're struggling to cope or feeling anxious or depressed, consider counselling with me. My approach - drawing on person-centred, existential, narrative and systemic perspectives - aims to help you foster greater self-awareness, encourage a deep sense self-confidence and self-esteem, help you develop new capabilities, and enable you to live with more self-determination and freedom.

Life can, of course, bring challenges and people seek counseling and psychotherapy for many different reasons.  Some feel that, whatever they do, they just don’t belong; others feel they’re living a life to please others, but have lost themselves along the way; some have been betrayed and hurt by family, friends or lovers, and find it difficult to have fulfilling connections with anyone, anymore; some feel depressed and have withdrawn or grown anxious and agitated, while their self-confidence and self-esteem fade away; some have encountered life crises, while others have a far less tangible sense of unease, a lack of direction and a feeling that something must change.

Some of the areas of counselling I work with:

• Abuse and Trauma
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Bereavement
• Chronic illness and Disability
• Depression and overwhelming sadness
• Identity
• Life transitions
• Low self-esteem
• Relationship problems (incl. family problems, affairs and betrayal, separation and divorce, communication problems)
• Sexuality
• Stress (incl. work-related stress)

If you’re experiencing these kinds of challenges, like many of the men and women I’ve worked with, call me – because therapy can help. I'll work collaboratively with you, focusing on how you feel about yourself, the nature of your relationships with other people, and your sense of place in the world. You are at the heart of what we do and, rather than giving advice, I’m here to help you find your own way.  Whether you’re seeking personal therapy or couples counselling, I can offer a confidential and safe space and the means to move forward into a new future.

I offer a free telephone consultation before we meet, giving you an opportunity to ask any questions and gain a sense of my approach and what you can expect of counselling.

Call or email me to book an appointment, and I'll look forward to hearing from you.

FAQs

Why should I contact you?
I am, of course, passionate about my work and have a strong track record of helping people make positive changes in their lives. When I'm not counselling, you'll find me working towards a PhD. I'm developing an holistic account of wellbeing grounded in contemporary neuroscience, psychology, social theory, continental philosophy, virtue ethics and epistemology (the philosophy of knowledge).

I'm also writing a book and producing a documentary series exploring how relationships, agency and self-determination, self and identity, equanimity, capabilities, social and cultural context, and experience of freedom impact upon individual wellbeing.

My ongoing research in these areas is a constant source of renewal for my therapeutic practice.

What happens in the first session?
This is your first step, giving us an opportunity to meet, to explore what you're seeking from therapy, for me to explain how I work - and how we can work together.


What happens next?
We agree to meet at a regular time each week. We'll regularly review your progress to ensure you're getting what you need.

What are the possible appointment times?
I work between 9:30am and 8pm during the week, although evening appointments tend to fill quickly. I also work between 10am and 1pm on Saturdays.

How often do I attend?
Sessions are weekly.

How much do you charge?
I offer a free initial 20 minute telephone consultation before we meet, where we discuss whatever has prompted your call, what you hope to address in counselling, while you have an opportunity to ask any questions and gain a sense of my approach and what you can expect of counselling.

Individual counselling - £40 per session.

Couples counselling - £70 per session.

I've worked extensively with trainees and offer a discounted rate of £30 per session.

I offer concessionary rates for people on low incomes, although all concessionary spaces are currently full.

How long will I attend?
I offer open-ended therapy for the simple reason – only you will know when you've accomplished the changes you hope to achieve.  I advise a commitment to a minimum of six sessions once we’ve decided to work together.


Testimonials

“Counselling has been rewarding, personal, professional, enabling and empowering.  I’ve found my self-worth has increased and have realised that I can change my life for the better. I feel empowered, self-aware, stronger, more resourceful, and better able to deal with any challenges that arise”, David A

“My experience of counselling was safe, positive, and empowering.  It’s been helpful being able to learn about myself in a judgment free environment and to take time to focus on me as a whole person.  I feel comfortable in my own skin and able to take control and change situations that would of previously been very daunting”, Amelia T

“Counseling has been extremely positive. Richard is warm, open and non-judgmental. He provided a safe space for me to talk and be heard and enabled me to find my own solutions to the situations and issues that we explored.  I now feel stronger, more resilient and assertive. From feeling lost and out of control, I now feel empowered and excited about life and my future”, Darren C

“I found counseling to be very helpful and fulfilling, and I feel my life is moving in a positive direction again.  I’ve found myself wanting to get involved in new and different experiences and have discovered a newfound love for my friends and family. Since counseling ended, I’ve been feeling happy in myself, more aware of what’s important to me, free, confident, and fulfilled”, Jacqui G