- Person-centred listening
- Emotion-focused work
- Practical strategies
About Richard
Richard Gordon-Smith welcomes people who are thinking about change. He is a counsellor who focuses on stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, relationship concerns and codependency among other issues. He has 13 years of experience and holds NCPS, which is shown as NCPS in his credentials.
Richard trained in psychology and then completed an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling with the University of Manchester. He has worked in mental health settings since then and combines different ways of working to suit each person.
In sessions he keeps things straightforward and practical. He offers a non-judgemental space to talk about current problems or things from the past. Conversations are aimed at helping people make sense of their feelings and spot ways to cope or change unhelpful patterns.
His style blends person-centred listening with approaches that look at emotions, patterns and thoughts. That means some sessions focus on feeling and attachment, while others use structured techniques to try new ways of thinking or behaving. He adapts the mix to what the person needs.
Richard also works with issues such as addiction, grief, trauma, parenting strain and intimacy-related concerns. He mentions male mental health and self-esteem as particular areas of interest. His background and varied methods aim to help people find clearer choices and steady progress.
Therapeutic approaches and how they fit online
Richard draws on attachment-based work to look at patterns in relationships and how early experiences shape current reactions; this helps when people struggle with closeness, abandonment fears or codependency. He also uses person-centred approaches which focus on listening and making space for feelings so people can find their own solutions and feel understood. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is used alongside these to spot unhelpful thought patterns and try different behaviours that can reduce anxiety and low mood.Finding the right approach is a shared task. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences and then suggest a mix of methods. That way sessions are shaped around what the person wants to work on, and can be adjusted as progress is made.
Practical benefits of online working include easier fitting of sessions into a busy week and the option to have a shorter check-in when time is tight. The profile does not list specific session formats, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online work can still involve focused emotional exploration, structured CBT tasks and discussions about attachment patterns, while aiming to make therapy feel manageable around everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Credentials
Listed on profile
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Richard help with?
He supports people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and parenting concerns, codependency, addictions and related issues such as grief and trauma.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He uses a straightforward, person-centred style that also brings in emotion-focused, cognitive and psychodynamic ideas depending on what helps the person.
How much experience does he have?
Richard has 13 years of experience working in mental health and counselling settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
The profile shows NCPS as his credential and that he is based in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the UK work with him?
International clients are accepted according to the profile.
How are fees and payment described?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.