Therapists
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 depression, anxiety, abuse, low self-esteem, interpersonal trauma, and relationship problems. I work with both individuals and couples, 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.
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 it’s also 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 or send me an email enquiry via this site. I look forward to hearing from you.
I’ve been practicing since 2009. I have an established clinic in central Hove and 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 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. I'm currently developing an account of wellbeing and transformative change that draws upon the latest research in neuroscience and cognitive science, modern European philosophy, embodied cognition, the capabilities approach to human growth and development, and the philosophy of agency. This research forms the basis of the book I'm currently writing, and also informs my practice as a therapist.