Respecting your values

ethos

  • Growth is a lifelong process. 
  • Our immediate experience is the basis of our thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
  • We are free to choose how we construct our world.
  • We are plural beings, containing different parts within ourselves, which deserve recognition and acceptance.
  • We perform at our best when we feel authentic, both to ourselves, and to others.
  • We are always greater than the sum of our parts.
  • There underlying potential for growth in every aspect of our experience.  
  • Therapy is a confidential relationship, and real trust is central to the change process.

About Richard

  • 2002 - Began training as a Person-Centred counsellor at the age of 18. 
  • 2006 - Elected President of Aberdeen University, campaigned for increased awareness of student mental health issues.
  • 2008 - Worked in Edinburgh City centre providing addiction support to people.
  • 2010 - Completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling at Jordanhill, University of Strathclyde, an International Centre for Excellence.
  • 2011 - 2013 - Completed training in Emotion-Focused Therapy levels 1-3 with Professor Robert Elliott. 
  • 2012 - 2014 - Researcher and practitioner at the University of Strathclyde Social Anxiety research clinic.
  • 2014 - Graduated with Distinction in Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University. Awarded best overall prize for Psychology.
  • 2014 - Established Private Practice in Harley Street, London. 
  • 2015 - Founded Bay Counselling service, and now working towards improving mental health in local community. 

Memberships

I am a member of the British Psychological Society (MBPsS) and subscribes the division of Counselling Psychology. 

 

And, in addition, a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP).

Complaints

If you have any issues with your experience of counselling, please do feel encouraged to raise them during therapy. This is often a normal part of the therapeutic relationship, and sometimes speaking the unspoken, or facing a disagreement, can be a positive event. I always encourage clients to direct the therapy from themselves. I also actively seek feedback throughout the process. This can help you feel more in control of your process and also help deliver the therapy that best fits your needs. If you feel you have been harmed, or treated unethically, then please consider making a formal complaint to the BACP 

Privacy policy

Your story belongs to you. At Bay Counselling we do not use your contact details to market. If you like the service, feel welcome to recommend it to a friend. 

 

We have an ongoing commitment to protecting your confidentiality. As a member of the BACP I work within the ethical framework which you can view here

 

How we store and use your data.

 

We conduct annual data audits to assess where personal data comes from and goes to to ensure that confidential data is stored securely and for justifiable reasons. We routinely keep a record of email addresses and phone numbers so we can correspond with you to schedule appointments and to help facilitate pre-agreed therapeutic activity. Records of your contact details are held on our email server for no longer than a year, or until you request their removal. Contents of counselling sessions are not recorded or stored digitally or in print. Outcome measures (such as CORE-34) are used to track progress, in this situation clients are assigned a confidential code to keep track. No confidential information is stored alongside identifying information. 

 

We adhere to the principals of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act 1998 and will always continue to review and revise our procedures to meet legal requirements, as well as moral duties.