About Me & My Journey
I have an Advanced Diploma In Integrative Counselling & a Post Qualifying Diploma In Creative Arts Therapies, both from the Iron Mill College in Exeter.
Like many people, I was first drawn to train as a counsellor after having counselling myself. I had experienced some life difficulties which were affecting my mental health, so I decided to find myself a therapist.
I enjoyed it so much that it ended up turning into a personal therapy journey which lasted almost 3 years!
On reflection, I realised how much the process had not only helped me to face and overcome my issues but that it had also helped me to grow and change both myself and my life.
The end result was that my mental health was improved, I felt stronger, I was in control of the direction I wanted to take and more resilient to the knocks of life; I’ll never forget how much of an empowering effect that was!
Find out More!
For the early part of my working life I was involved in the transport industry, mainly as a professional HGV driver, but I have also worked in heavy haulage, heavy recovery and transport planning.
I enjoyed the flexibility that driving jobs gave me to be able to also involve myself in musical/creative projects alongside.
At the age of 36 I began re-training and I now work full-time in mental health as a Counsellor, Creative Therapist and Mental Health Trainer.
I have always felt like there has been a strong creative side to my personality. Personally speaking, music is my passion and has always felt like another language to me.
I started DJ-ing as a teenager then, following a career direction change, I went to college to study Music Technology. Since then I’ve continued to DJ and been involved in music production, live sound engineering and event management projects.
During my Advanced Diploma in Counselling training, it was hardly surprising that I discovered a passion for working creatively in the therapy room, something which is reflected in most counselling and psychotherapy modalities (schools of thought) to a lesser or greater degree.
In my second year of study, and as a part of my training, I began counselling for a local charity as a volunteer trainee and began to put into practice all that I had learned.
Before I graduated, I had already enrolled myself onto the next term’s post-qualifying diploma course in Creative Arts Therapies, knowing that I wanted to deepen my knowledge and experience in this field and fully integrate it into my existing counselling practice.
Since qualifying in 2016, I’ve worked as a Counsellor & Creative Therapist in private practice, on government funded projects and also in the charity sector, which has resulted in me gaining a wide range of experience in working with clients from many varied backgrounds and walks of life.
I am experienced in supporting clients through a wide range of Mental Health issues such as:
Emotional issues - Depression, Anxiety, Anger, Shame and more
Unclear or ‘muddled’ Thinking
Neurodiversity - ADHD, OCD, Autism, Dyslexia, etc.
Personal Development
Behavioural Issues
Trauma
Relationship Issues
Emotional Disturbances/Breakdowns
Self-Identity
Sexual Issues
Existential & Life Crises
Spiritual Awakenings
Creative Blocks and much more
What My Clients Say:
Rich is fantastic at holding space, I felt supported to find my own way with helpful signposting & reassurance
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The way Rich understands the problems and helps you see past them is brilliant!
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Working with Rich has helped me to feel like me again!
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This counselling experience has been truly life changing!
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Rich is extremely open minded & I feel like I have been accepted for who I am
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Rich has a great approach, I was nervous before the 1st session but felt so comfortable that I was excited to come back each week!
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It was an extremely valuable experience that improved my mental health & the quality of my relationships with others
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Rich is fantastic at holding space, I felt supported to find my own way with helpful signposting & reassurance ••• The way Rich understands the problems and helps you see past them is brilliant! ••• Working with Rich has helped me to feel like me again! ••• This counselling experience has been truly life changing! ••• Rich is extremely open minded & I feel like I have been accepted for who I am ••• Rich has a great approach, I was nervous before the 1st session but felt so comfortable that I was excited to come back each week! ••• It was an extremely valuable experience that improved my mental health & the quality of my relationships with others •••
All comments are client’s genuine words and reproduced with kind permission