Registration on file

Richard Whitenstall, BACP

Richard Whitenstall is a counsellor with over 11 years' experience.

Stress, Anxiety
LGBT
Relationship issues
+31 more

About Richard

Richard Whitenstall is a counsellor with over 11 years' experience. He founded Get There Counselling in 2021 and has worked with clients internationally since 2023. He holds BACP registration, and he brings practical, straightforward support for people facing stress, anxiety, depression and trauma.

He began his counselling path in 2013 with placements at Hampshire charities No Limits and Cruse. Between 2017 and 2019 he established and ran a counselling service for the London charity Positive21.

Background and approach

He has also worked as a project worker supporting LGBT young people at risk of sexual exploitation, domestic abuse and neglect. Richard co-authored Strength to Talk, a book focused on men’s mental health, with proceeds donated to Mind. He has presented to mental health professionals, including at the CAMHS County Forum in 2014, to raise awareness of risks faced by LGBT youth.

These experiences shape his practical, down-to-earth style. His counselling is client-centred and empowering. Sessions move at a pace the client finds manageable.

Conversations focus on the changes a person wants, accepting what cannot be changed and making a clear plan for what can. Richard works with a wide range of concerns, including relationships, self-esteem, grief, addictions, sleep problems, ADHD and intimacy-related issues. He also offers support around attachment, communication, chronic health challenges, polyamory and alternative sexual cultures.

People can expect straightforward language, practical steps and collaborative planning. Richard aims to create a space where people can talk through painful experiences and begin to find ways forward.

Details from the counsellor's public professional profile · registration number listed

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Registration

Body	Registration number	Expires
BACP	191764	July 2026

Registration details are as listed on the counsellor's public profile. You can check any number with the registering body.

Check on the BACP register

Sessions and payment

Sessions are held online through our partner platform, by video, phone or messaging depending on the counsellor.

Cost Costs are shown on the partner platform before you commit. If cost is a concern, ask about reduced-fee options.

Focus areas and approaches

Everything Richard lists on their public professional profile, in their own terms.

Stress, Anxiety
LGBT
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Coping with life changes
Addictions
Family conflicts
Trauma and abuse
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Sleeping disorders
Career difficulties
Depression
ADHD
Attachment issues
BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
Chronic pain, illness, and disability
Communication problems
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Drug and alcohol addiction
Family problems
Gender dysphoria
Guilt and shame
HIV / AIDS
Men's issues
Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
Self-harm
Sex addiction
Sexuality
Social anxiety and phobia
Workplace issues
Young adult issues

Ways of working Richard names

Naming an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each counsellor lists and does not check training records.

How therapy approaches translate to online sessions

Richard works with client-centred therapy, which places the person’s experience at the heart of the work and values listening and empathy. This approach helps when someone needs space to make sense of difficult feelings and decide on their next steps.

He also uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. CBT offers practical exercises and simple techniques to address anxiety, low mood or sleep problems.

Solution-focused therapy is another strand he draws on, which concentrates on small, achievable changes. It can be useful when someone wants clear goals and quick steps to improve day-to-day life.

Finding the right mix is a collaborative process. Richard will work with each person to try approaches that match their goals and preferences, checking in and adjusting plans as needed.

Online sessions can make therapy easier to fit into busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation without travel, phone sessions suit people with lower bandwidth or who prefer not to use video, and live chat or text messaging offer brief check-ins and flexibility between appointments. These options let people access consistent support around work, family or health commitments.

Frequently asked

What kinds of issues does Richard help with?

He supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and grief. He also helps with relationship concerns, self-esteem, addictions and sleep problems.

What is his therapeutic style like?

He uses a client-centred approach that emphasises pacing and collaboration. Sessions focus on what the person wants to change and on practical next steps.

How long has he been practising counselling?

He has worked in counselling since 2013 and has around 11 years of experience across charities and independent practice.

Where is he based and what credential does he hold?

He is based in the United Kingdom and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP.

Can I see him if I live in another country?

Yes, he accepts international clients and has worked with people outside the UK.

Which session formats are offered?

Sessions are available by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How much do sessions cost?

Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin if I want to work with him?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.