About me
Hello, I’m Richard. I’m an integrative therapist with over 15 years experience helping people from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds overcome challenges related to anxiety, burnout, depression, interpersonal trauma, low self-esteem and relationship problems. I offer personal therapy and couples counselling, in person and online, giving you the flexibility to choose what feels most accessible and comfortable for you.
So, what brings you here?
It could, of course, be for any number of reasons. Some of us will be struggling with the heavy weight of depression or living in a state of near constant worry and anxiety. Some of us will be fighting with emotions that overwhelm us or self-criticism that undermines us, while others will be experiencing the frustration of always getting caught up in unsatisfying relationships that only ever lead to the same old disappointments. But alongside this lies a more fundamental – and a more hopeful – motivation: a wish for things to be different, a wish for a better future. If this rings true for you, then we should talk.
About therapy
We all need to be seen, heard, and understood and I can offer a space where you can express yourself freely, help you make sense of the issues that hamper your life, and support you to bring about positive change in your life, free of the things that have hindered and held you back. My approach is integrative, drawing upon the core humanistic therapies (person-centred, gestalt, and transactional analysis), together with existential therapy, narrative therapy and Buddhist psychology, and ideas from a wide range of related fields.
Alongside this, I also adopt a pluralistic perspective. Since no single approach can fully meet every person’s needs, I adapt my approach flexibly to respond to what you need, when you need it, rather than imposing rigid agendas or predetermined interventions. For instance, I might draw upon Buddhist psychology to explore patterns of emotional reactivity, lean into more existential approaches to explore questions of meaning and purpose, or draw upon narrative approaches to explore - and perhaps rewrite - the personal, familial and cultural stories that help to shape and define us. This allows for a responsive approach that is fundamentally guided by your goals, values and wishes. Above all, I respect your autonomy and see you as a person, not a bundle of problems.
Personal Therapy
Therapy can sometimes feel like a daunting prospect for newcomers, but it’s also perfectly recognisable. It might be a different kind of conversation, but in many respects it’s just like every conversation you’ve ever had. We sit together and talk, taking turns, back and forth. You share your concerns and I offer ways of making sense of things. Therapy is collaborative, so we spend our time figuring things out together. Our conversations might focus on how you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships with other people, or your sense of place in the world. The focus may shift from the past to the present, from significant life events to longstanding issues, and between difficult emotions, unhelpful beliefs, and more general challenges in engaging with life. Our aim is to cultivate greater awareness and understanding so you can then implement transformative changes in your life — changes you bring about through your own endeavours.
Couples counselling
Relationships can be deeply rewarding, but we can be left feeling disappointed, guilty, rejected, or lonely when there are problems. Couples counselling offers an opportunity to explore the difficulties in your relationship and heal the breaches between you.
We’ll explore how you communicate and interact with each other; define the issues that drive your conflicts; and make sense of how you’ve arrived where you are today. This will allow you to focus on the changes you’ll need to make to re-establish trust and create a new way of living together.
At the heart of my approach to couples counselling is a commitment to offer you both impartial support. Together, we can explore and resolve the conflicts that have arisen between you by improving communication; restoring affection; and cultivating the skills you’ll need to identify and assert your needs, wants and wishes more effectively. Perhaps our aim is to bring you closer together, but couples counselling can also help us bring our relationships to an amicable end if and when they’ve run their course.
Next Steps
To get things started, call me on 07565 353389 for an informal introductory chat.
Alternatively, you can book in an intro call or email me (links above-right).
"Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life.”
― Naeem Callaway
Training, qualifications & experience
Experience
I’ve been practicing since 2009, with an established clinic in Brighton and central Hove. I also offer online therapy via Zoom.
Alongside my practice, I’ve taught on a counselling diploma course, teaching theory, helping trainees develop their counselling skills, and facilitating personal development groups.
I’ve also worked as a counsellor with a number of community based organisations serving people with disabilities, families affected by substance misuse, and young people who have lived unsettled lives.
Qualifications and Training
Post-Graduate Diploma in Person-Centred Counselling, University of Brighton (accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).
BA (Hons.), Humanities: Philosophy and Modern World Studies, University of Brighton.
Certificate in Duo Counselling, a systemic approach to counselling couples and families.
Professional Membership, etc.
I'm a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). As a member of the BACP, my work is guided by our Ethical Framework for Good Practice.
I'm also fully insured, and I have regular clinical supervision and ongoing training to ensure my work remains at a high standard.
Member organisations
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred). Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision. Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training. All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Therapies offered
Fees
£65.00 per session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
Personal Therapy- £65 per session.
Couples Counselling - £95 per session.
When I work
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