Gill Richards, MA
Co-Founder, Biographical and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor
I have always been deeply interested in people’s biographies: not just the fun times, but approaches to obstacles and challenges; traumatic events and situations; dips in physical and mental health; and paths to regain strength and peace of mind.
My initial career was in education: teaching in diverse communities in the UK and beyond; and training teachers to help facilitate equality of access to opportunities for their pupils.
A life-changing injury gave me insights into many challenges of living with a disability, but also an opportunity to experience how creative, holistic therapies can contribute to improvements in health. Keen to offer these approaches to others, I trained as a Biographical and Anthroposophic Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.
Since 2011, I have worked with individuals and groups of people experiencing long-term physical and mental health difficulties. Taking account of each person’s unique situation; interests and aims, I incorporate a range of creative, holistic approaches to accompany a person searching for a new sense of Self, meaning and purpose.
Work contexts include the charity Headway Sussex; Blackthorn Medical Centre, Maidstone; private practice and contributing to counselling/psychotherapy trainings in the UK and internationally. I am committed to enabling access to therapies and, in 2017, co-founded the Wellsbourne Community Therapy Project (now Encounter Wellness) with Dr. Johann McGavin.
I am a registered, accredited Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and other professional associations. My relevant qualifications are in: Biographical Counselling and Anthroposophic Psychotherapy; Mental Health; EMDR (Eye Movement De-Sensitisation & Reprocessing) and Supervision for Health Professionals.
I live locally and enjoy being near the sea, the countryside and spending time with family, friends and community.