About me
Hi, I’m Richard — an accredited Psychodynamic Counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and a registered Social Worker with Social Work England (SWE).
With over 15 years of experience in both statutory settings (Child Protection and Leaving Care) and the third sector, I have worked extensively in supportive and therapeutic services. My approach is also shaped by a personal legacy: I am related to Dr. Thomas Barnardo, the Victorian philanthropist and founder of the UK’s largest children’s charity. Growing up with this connection instilled in me a deep appreciation for the power of caring, nurturing relationships — a value that continues to guide my practice.
My core training enables me to integrate various therapeutic models, including Psychodynamic, Person-Centred and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. At present, I specialise in Brief Psychodynamic Therapy (BPT) — an evidence-based, time-limited approach that supports emotional processing, self-insight and relational change.
In addition to my private practice in North London, I also provide a free counselling service for care-experienced young adults (ages 18–25) in partnership with the Drive Forward Foundation charity. My work is grounded in compassion, clinical integrity and a strong belief in the transformative potential of therapy.
Training, qualifications & experience
Qualifications
- Humanistic and Integrative Counselling (PGDip) - BACP Accredited
- Social Work Masters (MA) - registered Social Worker with Social Work England (SWE)
- Law Degree (LLB)
- Emergency First Aid Training (British Red Cross)
Professional Memberships
- British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
- Social Work England (SWE)
- Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
- Enhanced Criminal Record Checks vetted by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
- Healthcode registered member and recognised provider for Insurance companies: AXA, Aviva, Vitality & WPA.
My work is fully insured and professionally supervised, in accordance with BACP guidelines and I adhere to the BACP Codes of Ethics in my practice.
Experience
I have extensive experience supporting a diverse range of clients across various settings, all within inner London. In addition to my private practice, I have over 15 years working in statutory frontline services, such as Child Protection Teams, Youth Offending Service, Leaving Care Services and Charitable organisations.
As part of that work I have served as a Child Protection liaison for educational providers in London and as a Child Protection link worker between Islington Social Services and the Whittington Hospital. My support work has also involved working closely with survivors of domestic violence, adults who experienced abuse in childhood and unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.
Member organisations
school Registered / Accredited
Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.
The National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society This Not For Profit association of counsellors and psychotherapists aim to support the counselling profession, members and training organisations. In 2013 the NCS register was accredited by the Professional Standards Authority under the Accredited Voluntary Register Scheme. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.
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.
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
Appointments are for 50 minutes and the fee is £65 (with discounted rates available if you’re on a limited income).
Please note: I run free counselling appointments for anyone care experienced. You can be referred to me via the Drive Forward Foundation.
When I work
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Further information
If you would like to meet with me to establish if I am someone that you feel comfortable working with, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact me via my website barnardocounselling.com or email me.
Please note: due to the nature of my approach, I have found that clients get the best out of our sessions if they are held in-person (I am based in North London). This means I am not currently offering online therapy services.
