Richard Schafer
Helping people with stress and addiction
About Richard
Richard Schafer helps people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship strain and low self-esteem. He supports those facing major life changes and the knock-on effects of isolation, guilt or impulsivity. Richard works in a direct, conversational way so people can talk about what matters most to them.
He trained in psychodynamic counselling in 2003 and has worked in independent practice since 2004. Over two decades of practice include more than 12 years as a clinical lead in statutory residential therapeutic settings.
Background and approach
That background gave him regular experience with complex cases and practical service delivery. Richard follows an integrative model. He draws on psychodynamic ideas about past experiences and attachment alongside Person Centred principles that focus on the person's present experience.
He adjusts the balance between these approaches depending on what a person needs at the time. Sessions aim to be straightforward and focused. Conversations explore patterns such as abandonment, avoidance, difficulties with control, addiction and communication problems.
People can work on coping strategies, understanding repetitive behaviours, and repairing how they relate to others. He is a long-term member of the British Association for Counsellors and Psychotherapists, BACP. Richard practises in the United Kingdom and offers sessions in English.
Practical details about formats and the way to begin are below.
What Richard works with
Sessions & fees
How therapeutic approaches work online
Richard uses psychodynamic and Person Centred approaches adapted for online work. Psychodynamic work looks at how past relationships and patterns shape current feelings and behaviour, helping people make sense of repeating difficulties. Person Centred work focuses on a person's present experience and aims to build understanding and self-direction through empathetic listening.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will discuss goals and try different ways of working to see what suits each person. That means sessions can shift emphasis over time, combining exploration of past influences with practical support for current challenges.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text messaging. Video allows face-to-face conversation when that feels helpful. Phone sessions can fit into a short break or require less bandwidth. Live chat and text-based messaging are useful for quick check-ins, ongoing reflection, or when typing feels easier than speaking. These options make therapy flexible and easier to fit around work, family or travel commitments.
| Session length | Typically 50 minutes |
|---|---|
| Client ages | Adults, 18 and over |
| Fees | Subscription via BetterHelp, cancel anytime |
| Insurance | Not billed directly |
Questions people ask
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Areas of focus
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
Also listed
- Abandonment
- Antisocial personality
- Attachment issues
- Avoidant personality
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Impulsivity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Money and financial issues
- Post-traumatic stress
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexuality
- Smoking / vaping cessation
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Workplace issues
- Experience
- 21 years
- Registered with
- BACP
- Languages
- English
