Josie Richter

You don’t have to face things alone. Perhaps you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stuck. Maybe something has happened recently that you’re finding hard to process, or you’ve been carrying difficult feelings for a long time. You don’t need to have all the answers before you begin; sometimes having someone with you can be the first step.

I offer a compassionate, empathetic and confidential space where you can talk openly, take things at your own pace and explore what is happening for you without judgement or pressure. Together, we can begin to make sense of your experiences, understand yourself more clearly and explore what might help you move forward.

I work as a private and school counsellor. Before becoming a counsellor, I spent 25 years working within a range of schools as a class and Special Educational Needs teacher, Deputy SENDCo and a Wellbeing and Mental Health Lead. Throughout my career, I have supported children, young people and families through a wide range of challenges.

This has given me a deeper understanding of the pressures they can face, as well as the importance of feeling heard, understood and accepted, rather than judged. 

I am an integrative counsellor, which means I use a range of recognised therapeutic approaches, including person-centred and psychodynamic therapy, adapting my approach to suit each individual rather than expecting every client to work in the same way.

We may explore the challenges affecting you now, while also looking at past experiences that could be influencing your thoughts, behaviours, feelings or relationships.

Where helpful, we can also develop practical tools and strategies that you can use outside our sessions.

Throughout the process, we will work together. You remain in control of what you share, what you would like to explore and the pace at which we work.

Prior to your first session, I offer a free, 15-minute initial conversation. This is an opportunity for us to talk about what has brought you to counselling, answer any questions you may have, explain how counselling works, and explore whether I am the right counsellor to support you or your child.