About Me

Hello, I’m Kristian

My journey into counselling and psychotherapy comes from both personal experience and professional curiosity. My childhood was challenging, including experiences of bullying, instability, and loneliness, but I found comfort and connection through creativity, reading, time with animals, and hands-on learning. These experiences taught me empathy, and the value of being seen and supported.

I discovered counselling through voluntary roles with NSCPCC Childline and Action for Children, supporting children and young adults. These early experiences highlighted the power of listening, presence, and guidance without judgement. Since then, I have worked across a wide variety of mental health settings, from primary care to acute services, developing both breadth and depth in my clinical practice.

I bring curiosity, creativity, and narrative thinking into my work. My appreciation for literature, fantasy, and storytelling helps me understand human experience and informs how I create spaces where clients feel understood, safe, and supported.

 

30 Minute Free Consultation
Therapist Kristian Richings smiling with green plants in the background

How I Work

I take a relational and trauma-informed approach to therapy. The relationship we build together is central to our work. How we connect in session can reveal patterns in how you relate to yourself and others, helping you notice what shapes your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

I provide a calm and supportive space where you can explore anxiety, depression, past trauma, relationship difficulties, or life transitions. Therapy is collaborative, and I regularly check in to ensure the pace, focus, and methods are aligned with your experience and goals.

I have specialist training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, alongside foundational experience in psychodynamic, person-centred, and existential approaches. This integrative framework allows me to tailor sessions to your individual needs, whether building coping skills, exploring relational patterns, or processing trauma.

I work sensitively with clients of all genders and with neurodivergent individuals, recognising that different ways of feeling, thinking and processing the world shape the therapeutic journey.

Autumm landscape with a bridge over a flowing river, illustrating the journey of working together.

My Experience

A small woodland waterfall flowing over moss-covered rocks, symbolising calm, reflection, and the steady flow of therapeutic growth.

Experience and Training

I currently work in Primary Care Mental Health Services and volunteer as a counsellor with Cyfannol Women’s Aid Horizon, supporting survivors of sexual assault and domestic abuse. My experience includes:

  • Supporting adults with anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, trauma, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts

  • Delivering DBT and coping skills groups in community and acute mental health settings

  • Working existentially, exploring values, identity, and meaning

  • Supporting clients through life transitions, burnout, and grief, including pet loss.

My Qualifications

  • MA Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, dissertation stage

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy, University of South Wales, 2025

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Counselling Skills, University of South Wales, 2023

  • BSc Psychology – 1st Class, Edge Hill University, Liverpool

Professional Memberships

  • British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Contact me

If you feel that working together might help you, please get in touch to arrange a free 15-minute consultation to see whether it feels like a good fit.