Richard Whitenstall , BACP

Richard Whitenstall is a counsellor with a long-standing commitment to supporting people through a wide range of life challenges. He founded Get There Counselling in 2021 and has worked with clients internationally since 2023. His therapeutic journey began in 2013 with placements at Hampshire charities No Limits and Cruse, and from 2017 to 2019 he established and ran a counselling service for Positive21 in London. He also co-authored Strength to Talk, a book focused on men’s mental health with all proceeds supporting the charity Mind.

Alongside counselling, Richard has worked as a project worker supporting LGBT young people at risk of sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, and neglect. A notable moment in his career was presenting at the CAMHS County Forum in 2014 to help mental health professionals better understand the specific risks faced by LGBT youth. His areas of expertise include men’s issues, anxiety, relationship difficulties, depression, stress, and grief, alongside broader focuses such as trauma, addiction, intimacy-related issues, and chronic health concerns.

Richard practises in a client-centred and empowering way, moving at each person’s pace, focusing on achievable change, accepting what cannot be changed, and shaping a practical plan for what can. He holds the BACP credential, which indicates membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and adherence to its professional standards. He also produces and co-hosts the podcast It’s Not You, It’s Them, which explores mental health and personal growth.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Richard offers several approachable methods that translate well to online work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a supportive, non-judgmental relationship where the client leads the pace and direction; it is useful for issues like low self-esteem, grief, relationship challenges, and general life transitions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns. It is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, sleep difficulties, and some forms of addiction because it teaches practical tools for managing symptoms and improving daily functioning.

Solution-Focused Therapy concentrates on strengths and short-term goals to create concrete steps toward change. It tends to be effective for people seeking clear strategies for coping with specific problems such as relationship issues, career decisions, or adapting to life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Richard collaborates with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the way he works as therapy progresses. Licensed professionals and therapists may combine elements from different approaches to suit each client.

Online therapy makes this flexibility practical. Video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging allow people to choose the format that fits their schedule, comfort level, and daily life. These options increase accessibility and help sustain consistent therapeutic work even when in-person meetings are not possible.