- Psychodynamic focus
- Person Centred work
- Guilt and shame
About Richard
Richard Schafer is a BACP counsellor with 21 years of experience in talking therapies. He practises in the United Kingdom and lists stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship difficulties, self esteem and coping with life changes among his main concerns. He also works with guilt and shame alongside issues such as abandonment, attachment and communication problems.
Richard trained in psychodynamic counselling in 2003 and began private practice in 2004. He spent over a decade working as a clinical lead in statutory residential therapeutic settings. That background informs how he works with complex and recurring problems.
He uses an integrative model, blending psychodynamic ideas with Person Centred principles. In practice this means he pays attention to patterns from the past and to what is happening between counsellor and client in the room. He also listens for the client’s immediate needs and preferences and adapts his way of working accordingly.
Sessions are offered for individuals and for couples. His approach is conversational and reflective. He helps people identify repeating patterns, clarify feelings such as guilt or shame, and consider different ways of responding to relationships and life changes.
Richard is a long‑term registered member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists - BACP. He works with people who are managing addictions, fatherhood issues, divorce and separation, isolation and impulse control difficulties. He describes his role as helping clients walk through difficult feelings and make clearer choices.
To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Richard works from psychodynamic and Person Centred principles. Psychodynamic work looks at recurring patterns and early relationships to help explain why certain feelings like guilt or shame return. It is often useful for people who notice repeating reactions in relationships or who carry long‑standing emotional pain.Person Centred work focuses on the client's immediate experience. It involves attentive, non‑directive listening and helps people find their own way to understand and respond to problems such as low self esteem or loneliness. This approach suits those who want to explore feelings at their own pace.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. He discusses options with clients and adapts his way of working based on their needs, goals and preferences. That collaborative process helps identify whether more exploration of the past or a present‑focused style will be more helpful.
The original biography does not specify session formats, so please confirm available online options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling around work or family life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check‑in conversations when needed. Registered or accredited professionals can offer these practical benefits while working with the therapeutic approaches above.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
21+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of issues does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems, self esteem and coping with life changes. He also lists issues such as guilt and shame, abandonment and isolation.
How would he approach feelings of guilt or shame?
He uses an integrative model combining psychodynamic and Person Centred ideas. That means he looks at past patterns and what happens in sessions while listening to the client's present experience.
What is his professional background?
He qualified in psychodynamic counselling in 2003 and started private practice in 2004, with over 12 years as a clinical lead in statutory residential therapeutic settings.
Which credential does he hold and where does he practise?
He is a registered member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists (BACP) and practises in the United Kingdom.
Can I work with him if I live outside the UK?
Sessions are offered in English and he accepts international clients. Confirm session options and suitability before booking from your location.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. Check the platform details for exact pricing where you register.
How do I start working with him?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.