Melanie Richards

About me

I’m a qualified psychodynamic psychotherapist (BA Hons) PGDip and have had many years of training and experience in treating clients of all backgrounds, presenting with a wide range of problems including; anxiety, depression, eating disorders, addiction, relationship issues, bereavement and loss, trauma and those who feel that they have become stuck and have lost meaning and direction in their lives.

I also work as a psychotherapist in the Trauma Unit at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust.

I hold a postgraduate diploma issued by WPF Therapy and the University of Roehampton. Accredited by the BPC, the UKCP and the FPC, I work within and abide by the strict ethical standards issued by these professional bodies.

How I work

Psychological problems are common and may affect any one of us at any point in our lives. Some are short lived and respond well to brief focussed psychotherapy; others may require a range of interventions and respond better to longer term psychotherapy.

I have found that providing a safe, supportive and confidential environment in which clients feel they can be open, allows them to work through what has brought them to therapy.

This may be a specific issue; a present difficult circumstance; or something that has been affecting them for a very long time and which is impacting their lives, their relationships and how they feel about themselves.

My psychodynamic approach is collaborative, where I listen very carefully to clients and work alongside them to help them to understand themselves, their feelings and their circumstances better.

I am a qualified and experienced psychodynamic psychotherapist with private practices in Surrey and London Bridge.

Outside of private practice, I work as a psychotherapist for the Trauma Unit at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust. 

I have experience working with people with a range of different issues, from anxiety and depression, addictions, bereavement and loss, eating disorders, identity, sexuality and self-esteem and those who feel they have lost meaning in their lives.

I have found that providing a safe, supportive and confidential environment in which clients feel they can be open, allows them to work through what brought them to therapy.

This may be a specific issue; a present difficult circumstance; or something that has been affecting them for a very long time and which is impacting their lives, their relationships and how they feel about themselves.

Both experience and research demonstrates that talking through past and present events can help to facilitate self-awareness. This awareness can lead to meaningful change, resulting in increased self-esteem and better personal and professional relationships.

My psychodynamic approach is collaborative, where I listen very carefully to clients and work alongside them to help them to understand themselves, their feelings and their circumstances better.

This deep sense of understanding helps them to feel a greater sense of autonomy, leading to change, a sense of direction and meaning in their lives.