Kelly Richardson

Kelly Richardson is a counsellor based in the United Kingdom with 11 years of clinical experience supporting people with stress, anxiety, grief, career concerns, depression, coping with life changes, relationship and family issues, parenting, anger, and self-esteem. She is a female, older, non-religious therapist who brings a calm, person-centred approach to one-to-one work.

Before training in counselling she worked for many years with the Police, and since qualifying she frequently supports emergency services employees. Kelly also has a background in health and fitness, having worked in health clubs and taught fitness classes, which helped shape her belief that mental and physical wellbeing are linked. She began formal counselling training in 2010 and completed core training at The University of Hull and Leeds Beckett University.

Kelly describes her practice as integrative and person-centred - she aims to provide congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard so clients can explore their thoughts, feelings and behaviours in a comfortable, safe and confidential space. She uses tools from different therapeutic approaches to suit each client, and she can offer Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to examine automatic negative thoughts and develop practical coping strategies for short-term relief, as well as longer-term work that explores and addresses deeper causes.

Her experience includes supporting people affected by loss and bereavement with Cruse Bereavement Care, and working with anxiety and depression through an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) NHS initiative. Kelly is an Affiliate Counsellor for several Employee Assistance Programme providers, working with issues such as work-related stress, and she carries out regular continuing professional development through courses and workshops to keep her skills current.

In 2022 she was audited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and passed that audit. She is also a BACP ACCREDITED Counsellor - an accreditation that recognises high standards of knowledge, experience and development in counselling and psychotherapy. Kelly works with private self-referral clients in her practice, A New Horizon, and also provides therapy via telephone, video and live chat through online services.

Kelly emphasises that counselling is not about giving direct advice but about working collaboratively so clients can find their own answers and build resilience. If an issue is holding someone back from living fully, she invites them to get in touch to explore whether therapy would help.