About me
Hello, my name is Richard. Congratulations, by searching for a therapist you have begun the journey of addressing the issues that are causing you distress. This is not always an easy step to make, and searching for a therapist can seem daunting, especially if previous attempts have not gone as well as you hoped.
About me and my therapy practice
I offer an integrative form of psychotherapy that draws on psychodynamic, person-centred, and existential approaches. This means that our work together is tailored to you; your experiences, your ways of thinking and feeling, and what matters most in your life.
The psychodynamic element of my work helps you to understand the influence of past experiences, often from early life, on your current thoughts, feelings, and relationships. Much of this influence operates beneath conscious awareness, in the unconscious. By gently bringing these hidden patterns into the light, you can begin to see how past ways of coping may be holding you back. With new insight, it becomes possible to respond rather than react, opening the way for lasting change in how you relate to yourself and others.
The person-centred approach places you at the heart of the process. You are the expert on your life, and my role is to provide a safe, accepting and empathic space where you can explore your thoughts and emotions freely.
The existential perspective helps us to explore deeper questions about meaning, purpose, freedom, and the challenges of being human. Together, we can look at how you relate to yourself, others, and the world, and how you might live more fully and authentically.
When we understand what drives our emotions and behaviours, including those outside our awareness, we gain freedom to choose different paths. Clients often find that this leads to improved relationships, greater emotional balance, and a stronger sense of satisfaction and self-acceptance.
Practice description
The single greatest factor in successful therapeutic outcomes is the quality of the relationship between you and your therapist. As a result, it is crucial that you are comfortable with who you are talking to, and make changes if it is not working out for you.
My promise to you:
- I will listen to you very carefully.
- I will not judge you, no matter the stories you bring.
- I will work with integrity and in an ethical way that makes you feel safe and respected.
- I will endeavour to empower you so that you feel equal to me in the relationship.
- I will be supportive and empathetic, but I may challenge you from time to time.
- I will admit when I am wrong and work hard to repair ruptures, if they happen.
- I will tell you if you are better off seeing a different therapist if I feel my skills are not well matched with the issues you come to me with.
- I will maintain the necessary relationship boundaries that keep us both safe and comfortable, and I will ask the same of you.
- I will regularly review with you the work we are doing together so that you have the opportunity to reflect and feedback what is and is not working for you.
- I will always try to hear your story from your perspective, no matter your culture, race, sex, identity, sexual preference or faith, and I will be receptive to being made aware of my blind spots.
- I will maintain strict confidentiality, according to the BACP code of ethics. (https://www.bacp.co.uk/events-and-resources/ethics-and-standards/ethical-framework-for-the-counselling-professions)
Training, qualifications & experience
- Regent’s University, London: Master’s Degree – Psychotherapy & Counselling (Three Years)
- Regent’s University, London: Intensive Foundation - Psychotherapy and & Counselling (One Year)
- Brighton University: Foundation - Therapeutic Relationship and Counselling Skills
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
Additional information
I work with clients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please get in touch to ask about current availability. I work face to face from my home outside Billingshurst, Meadows Wellbeing in Billingshurst as well as online.
Concessions are available.
Further information
So that we can get to know each other, I provide a free 30 minute meeting, preferably face to face, but also by video or telephone call if preferred. During the meeting I will carry out a brief assessment of your situation, the troubles you are facing, and what you hope to achieve from therapy.
