Richard Whitenstall , BACP

Richard Whitenstall is a Gestalt counsellor and the founder of Get There Counselling, a private practice he established in 2021. His professional journey began in 2013 with placements at Hampshire charities No Limits and Cruse, and he later developed and ran a counselling service for Positive21 in London from 2017 to 2019. In 2023 he expanded his practice to work with international clients. He co-authored Strength to Talk, a book focused on men’s mental health, with proceeds supporting the mental health charity Mind.

Alongside counselling, Richard has worked as a project worker supporting LGBT young people facing risks such as sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, and neglect. He has contributed to professional learning too, including a presentation at the CAMHS County Forum in 2014 to raise awareness of the specific risks experienced by LGBT youth. His areas of focus include men’s issues, anxiety, relationship challenges, depression, stress, and grief.

Richard works in a client-centred, empowering way - moving at a pace set by the individual, concentrating on desired changes, accepting what cannot be altered, and creating practical plans for what can be changed. He is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the UK professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists.

Therapeutic approaches and online care with Richard Whitenstall

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a supportive therapeutic relationship in which the client’s perspective guides the work. This approach helps people explore identity, self-esteem, relationship challenges, and life transitions at a pace that feels manageable.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours and uses practical strategies to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and unhelpful patterns. It offers tools for problem-solving and developing coping skills.

Solution-Focused Therapy is a short-term, goal-oriented method that builds on strengths and practical steps to achieve change. It can be useful for people who want targeted support to move toward specific outcomes in relationships, career, or daily functioning.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Richard works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods best suit their needs, goals, and preferences. He adapts techniques from these models to match the client’s pace and priorities.

Online therapy offers flexible access to licensed professionals through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions around work, family, and other commitments, and they increase accessibility for people who live at a distance or have mobility or scheduling constraints.