PSYCHOTHERAPY + COUNSELLING

JESSICA RICHARDS

I’m a warm and experienced psychotherapist & counsellor working in Petworth, West Sussex and online

Jessica Richards

Jessica Richards Psychotherapist & Counsellor

Hello I’m Jessica.

I can offer a confidential and safe space for you to explore what is on your mind, what may be holding you back or distressing you. Together we will work to make a positive difference.

My way of working with people is integrative which means I draw on a range of approaches to therapy/counselling to suit the individual and whatever their needs might be.

I am qualified with an MA in Psychotherapy and Counselling from Regents University in London. I also hold an MA in European Cultures from Birkbeck University. This has given me an understanding of people in the world in a wider cultural context. Sometimes our mental health issues are as a result of problems within our society and not within us. I am a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and am committed to regular continuing professional development.

About therapy

Some people come to therapy with a particular issue they want to explore, and others come because they feel anxious or unhappy without knowing why. Either way we will work together to find a way forward and work out what is behind those feelings. 

I have experience of working with a wide variety of issues including depression, anxiety, childhood trauma, self-esteem issues, panic disorder and family and relationship issues. Our early relationships are particularly important when dealing with current issues, as they shape who we are and how we experience the world now. Many of my clients have suffered with PTSD and CPTSD - I understand how trauma is stored in the body and nervous system, which enables me to help them. I also work with neurodivergent clients and have completed specialist training in this area. 

There is a Japanese concept called Kintsugi, which means ‘repairing with gold’. It celebrates and embraces an object’s breaks and imperfections, and the idea that something broken can be made not only whole, but more beautiful and stronger than before. Similarly, therapy can help people to see their past experiences, including all of their trauma and setbacks, as opportunities for growth. With support, we too can become stronger and more beautiful after hardship.

I offer both short-term and open ended therapy, and look forward to hearing from you. 

Appointments & fees

Sessions are 50 minutes long and are weekly at a regular time. My fee is £60 for a 50-minute session and £60 for a 50-minute initial consultation. An initial consultation is a session whereby we meet to discuss your reason for coming to therapy, get a feel for one another in the room and decide if you’d like to begin therapy.

  • Rachael, West Sussex

    "Thank you Jessica for helping me over the last three years. You have helped me to help myself, I will never forget that. I couldn't be more appreciative".

  • Anonymous

    "Jessica gave me a safe environment in which I could build a healthy, capable adult self, at a time when I didn't really have that in my life. I regularly tell people personally and professionally that I would not be where I am today without her help, and it's completely true. Jessica exemplifies being non-judgemental, open-minded and warm - lifelines for insecure, anxious folks such as I was. I would recommend her as a counsellor to anyone."

  • Linda, West Sussex

    “I had 6 counselling sessions with Jessica and right from the out set she made me feel very much at ease.  She was so easy to talk to and she helped me a lot.  If ever I need more counselling, I would always go back to her.”