Philippa Richardson | Accredited Counsellor | LONDON | NCS

We have officially changed our name to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society!

Information for members

As of the 15th of May 2023, we have officially changed our name to the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS).

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Philippa Richardson

Member Status: Accredited

Member No: NCS19-08629

Location: LONDON

I work with a wide variety of people from all walks of life to help you unlock your potential. From experience I see how helping you understand your inner world enhances your work, relationships and your life as a whole.

I believe we decide how we want to live – we create our own life story. It would be my privilege to work with you to help you create yours.

Our sessions together will – I hope – be interesting and rewarding. You decide your focus and what we talk about, and even if sometimes they may feel challenging (we need to stretch ourselves to learn), I will always keep your best interests firmly at heart.

With me you'll get a two-way conversation, though mostly I listen. You set the agenda and we go at your pace. Emotions are allowed, swearing is allowed, you can talk about what you like. A session is a unique time for you to be you.

I draw on a variety of techniques and tailor them to you to help you towards your goals – I’ll share theory if it helps, and creative methods if you like. Above all, I always aim to be warm, non-judgemental, supportive and enlightened.

I offer:
- Open-ended therapy: regular sessions to explore any aspect of your life – whatever is important to you or troubling you. We review and agree each phase periodically.

- Goal-focussed counselling: where we work to an agreed timescale or number of sessions to focus on a particular area or goal of yours.

- Career & Leadership Development: leading is more than knowledge or technical ability. It takes an emotionally intelligent and resilient character to lead successfully. And to thrive means maintaining that. It’s a tricky path at the top – I can help.

How do I work?
I mainly use Transactional Analysis – one of the cornerstones of modern psychology – and I draw on other methods and models where helpful. When I discovered Transactional Analysis it appealed to me immediately for its accessible, down-to-earth language and approach – and because research shows it works. It’s been around for 70 years, it’s internationally recognised and empirically-based – making this approach theoretically sound, rigorous and effective.

My Training
My original degree was a BSc in Psychology, before a twenty-year career in law, business and marketing. I then returned to my passion of psychology and working with people via 4 years of masters-level training. My training gives me the expertise; my own life experience adds the colour.

  • Qualifications & Experience
    1) 4 years+ of my own personal psychotherapy – I list this first as I believe the effectiveness of any therapist is strongly linked to the level of their own self-awareness.

    2) Diploma in Counselling (advanced Transactional Analysis, Level 6) – a three-year course Accredited by the National Counselling Society giving a solid grounding in human development, mental experience and practical skills. I’ve studied and have experience of various “labels” you may have heard of – anxiety, panic attacks, trauma, depression, bereavement and loss, narcissism, sex and sexuality. However to me these are all normal parts of the human experience – what matters is to what extent you feel distressed or limited.

    3) Psychotherapist (Level 7) – I finish the 4th and final year of the formal 4-year training to be a Psychotherapist in July 2022. This will give me Accreditation by the UK Council for Psychotherapy.

    4) Advanced Certificate in Counselling – skills based applied practice.

    5) BSc Hons Psychology (1st class) – the academic scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour. This does not qualify anyone to practice with clients; I list it to show my long-term interest.
  • What I can help with
    • Abuse – Emotional, Physical, Sexual
    • Addiction (e.g. Alcohol, Computer games, Drugs, Food, Gambling, Sex, Smoking)
    • Anger Management
    • Anxiety
    • Assertiveness / Self-confidence / Self-esteem
    • Bereavement / Loss
    • Bullying
    • Depression
    • Divorce & Separation
    • Emotional issues
    • Family
    • Generally unhappy with your life
    • Job interviews
    • Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
    • Panic attacks
    • Parenting skills
    • Phobias
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder / PTSD
    • Relationships
    • Self-defeating behaviours
    • Self-esteem
    • Shyness / Social Phobia
    • Start exercising
    • Stop smoking
    • Stress
    • Suicidal feelings
    • Trauma
  • Find a Counsellor

    Find the help you need...If you are a potential client looking for a counsellor, you may search our registrants by location or name and you can also check whether someone is on the NCPS accredited register. A member of the Society may be a Registrant or a non-registrant member.

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  • Train as a Counsellor

    Use our Find a Course tool to find the nearest training providers who offer National Counselling Society Accredited, Advanced Specialist, Quality Checked or CPD courses. These courses are currently run across the the UK.

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