Richard Gordon-Smith

• Stress and anxiety
• CBT and EFT methods
• Attachment-informed work

About Richard

Richard Gordon-Smith works with stress, anxiety, relationships, parenting and a wide range of emotional and behavioural concerns using an integrative approach. He is registered with NCPS and has 13 years' experience in mental health and counselling. Richard uses ideas from attachment, client-centred, cognitive behavioural, emotionally-focused and psychodynamic work to help people talk things through and find practical ways forward.

Richard trained in psychology before completing an Advanced Diploma in Psychotherapeutic Counselling at the University of Manchester. He built his experience over more than a decade working in mental health settings and counselling roles. That background informs a flexible style that adapts to the issue brought to sessions.

Sessions usually begin with listening to what matters most and understanding how current patterns developed. Richard combines talking-based work with practical steps from cognitive behavioural approaches when helpful. He also draws on attachment ideas to look at how past relationships affect present feelings and behaviour.

He commonly helps people with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, grief and relationship difficulties. Additional areas include parenting concerns, intimacy-related issues, body image, codependency and managing major life changes. Richard also supports people exploring sexuality and alternative sex cultures such as BDSM and kink.

People who prefer reflective work can follow psychodynamic ways of looking at recurring issues. Those wanting short-term goal-focused help can use solution-focused techniques. He works in English and accepts international clients, with session arrangements handled through the site and its subscription model.

Therapeutic approaches used in online sessions

Richard commonly uses attachment-based and client-centred approaches alongside cognitive behavioural ideas. Attachment-based work looks at how early and current relationships shape emotional patterns and helps with relationship issues, intimacy concerns and attachment difficulties. Client-centred work focuses on listening closely and helping people find their own answers, which can suit those wanting reflective, person-focused conversations. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) adds practical steps to change unhelpful thinking and behaviour and is often used for anxiety, low mood and sleep problems.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss your needs, goals and preferences and together you will decide which methods to use. That collaborative process can include mixing reflective exploration with goal-focused techniques depending on what helps most.

Confirm the exact session formats before booking because the biography does not list specific options. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into daily life, for example by avoiding travel, allowing shorter check-ins, or making it simpler to schedule around work and family commitments. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists typically adapt session length and style to suit practical constraints and therapeutic aims.

Topics Richard lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Relationship issues
• Parenting issues
• Self-esteem
• Depression
• Addictions
• LGBT
• Family conflicts
• Trauma and abuse
• Grief
• Intimacy-related issues
• Eating disorders
• Sleeping disorders
• Anger management
• Career difficulties
• Bipolar disorder
• Coping with life changes
• Coaching
• Compassion fatigue
• ADHD
• Abandonment
• Aging and geriatric issues
• Attachment issues
• BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture
• Blended family issues
• Body image
• Codependency
• Commitment issues
• Communication problems
• Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
• Divorce and separation
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Emptiness
• Family problems
• Fatherhood issues
• Forgiveness
• Guilt and shame
• Infidelity
• Isolation and loneliness
• Jealousy
• Life purpose
• Men's issues
• Midlife crisis
• Money and financial issues
• Mood disorders
• Narcissism
• Phobias
• Polyamory and non-monogamous relationships
• Prejudice and discrimination
• Process addictions
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Self-harm
• Self-love
• Sex addiction
• Sexual dysfunction
• Sexuality
• Social anxiety and phobia
• Women's issues
• Workplace issues

Ways of working

• Attachment-Based Therapy
• Client-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy

Questions about Richard

Does he help with anxiety and depression?

Yes. He works with anxiety and depression using talking therapies and practical strategies from cognitive behavioural approaches.

What kind of counselling does he offer?

He offers an integrative approach that includes client-centred work, attachment-based ideas, CBT, emotionally-focused methods and psychodynamic perspectives.

How long has he been practising?

He has 13 years' experience working in mental health and counselling roles.

Is he registered and where does he practise?

He is registered with NCPS and is based in the United Kingdom.

Can I have sessions in English if I live abroad?

Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients.

What session formats are available?

Please confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not list specific formats.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I start working with him?

Use the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.