Richard Whitenstall, BACP

Richard Whitenstall BACP is a counsellor from the United Kingdom with 11 years of experience in mental health work. He began placements in 2013 and later set up his own practice, Get There Counselling, in 2021. He has also worked with international clients since 2023. Richard combines practical support with a calm, direct manner to help people handle difficult moments.

He has a background supporting LGBT young people at risk of exploitation and domestic abuse, and has run counselling services for charities. That practical charity work informs how he talks about issues such as anxiety, depression, stress and grief. He also co-authored a book on men’s mental health and produces a podcast that opens conversations about personal growth.

In sessions he uses a client-centred way of working. This means the conversation follows what matters most to the person seeking help. He also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Solution-Focused ideas to shape short-term goals and practical steps.

Richard makes space for topics often left out of mainstream therapy, including relationship patterns, intimacy and non-traditional sexual cultures. He is used to helping people manage life changes, chronic pain and long-term health challenges. Sessions look at what can be changed and how to move toward that.

He aims to work at a pace set by each person. Together they set clear, manageable goals and test small changes between sessions. The emphasis is on straightforward talk and realistic plans that fit everyday life.

How Richard’s approaches work for online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on following the person’s lead and building a trusting, non-judgemental conversation. It helps when someone needs a space to talk things through and decide what matters most to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions link together and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns; this is often useful for anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Solution-Focused Therapy emphasises clear, short-term goals and small changes that can be tested between sessions, making it suitable when someone wants rapid, practical progress.

Deciding which approach to use is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the person about their needs, hopes and preferences and then agree on an approach together. That collaborative decision can change as the work develops, and methods can be combined to suit individual goals.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm the available options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around work, medical appointments or caregiving, and it can reduce travel time. It also allows for shorter check-ins or longer sessions depending on what fits the person’s week. Many people find remote sessions help maintain continuity of care when life is busy or when managing ongoing health challenges.