I am a Gestalt Counsellor and founder of Get There Counselling, a private practice I established in 2021. Since 2023, I have also worked internationally with clients through BetterHelp. My counselling journey began in 2013, with placements at Hampshire charities No Limits and Cruse. From 2017 to 2019, I set up and ran a counselling service for Positive21, a London-based charity. I also co-authored Strength to Talk, a book dedicated to men’s mental health, with all proceeds supporting the charity Mind.
In addition to counselling, I have experience as a project worker supporting LGBT young people at risk of sexual exploitation, domestic abuse, and neglect. A career highlight was presenting at the CAMHS County Forum in 2014, where I enhanced mental health professionals’ understanding of the unique risks LGBT youth face. My areas of expertise include men’s issues, anxiety, relationship challenges, depression, stress, and grief.
Outside of counselling, I produce and co-host the podcast It’s Not You, It’s Them, a resource that fosters meaningful conversations around mental health and personal growth. My approach is client-centred and empowering: We move at our own pace, focus on the changes we want to make, accept what cannot be changed, and create a plan for what can. Thank you for visiting. Taking steps toward change can feel daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Professional experience
11 yrs in practice
Stress, AnxietyLGBTQ+RelationshipsSelf esteem, MotivationCoping with life changes
Additional areas of focus:Addictions, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Career difficulties, Depression, ADHD, Attachment issues, BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Communication problems, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Family problems, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Men's issues, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-harm, Sex addiction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Workplace issues, Young adult issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Richard Whitenstall. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Richard is very easy to talk to without any worries of being judged or embarrassed. He is supportive and his approach and guidance help me reflect, understand, and work on the issues that come up.
Written on Nov 24, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 1 year and 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and coaching
Very good!
Written on Oct 30, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting issues, self esteem, and anger management
Richard is caring, compassionate, engaging, and makes a real effort to understand your concerns and offers practical and helpful advice. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him as a therapist.
Written on Oct 03, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, grief, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
In a short amount of time, Richard has helped me identify clear goals and has given me the tools to make progress in these areas.
Written on Sep 13, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I have found Richard very easy to talk to and understanding couldn’t recommend him enough.
Written on Sep 05, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 3 months on issues concerning relationship issues
Incredible, calming therapist who helps me. Kind, brilliant and intelligent.
Written on Jul 08, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 1 year and 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, coaching, and adhd
Amazing working with Richard. He is someone who is attentive and caring and will hold space for you to truly express how you feel in a safe place. I love my sessions with him and would absolutely recommend him to anyone!
Written on Jun 30, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and coaching
Richard finds the right words to connect with heart and humor. Gives space to be heard and understood
Written on May 15, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 2 weeks on issues concerning addictions, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Richard has become an important support on my journey, he’s so kind and extraordinary!
Written on Apr 23, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, grief, eating disorders, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, and adhd
Richard and I clicked very easily and quickly. He understands my humor very well which can be hard to find in this sort of setting. I really appreciate his creative solutions and out-of-the-box style and approach. Really wonderful therapist who gives space to express your true thoughts and feelings. Would highly recommend to anyone.
Written on Apr 04, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, eating disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching
A big-hearted listener who cares and is there to help. Rich helped me get through change and be more aware of myself and develop emotional maturity. He is very knowledgeable and professional.
Written on Jan 23, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 6 months on issues concerning relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Richard is kind and caring and his perspective has really helped me gain some insight into why I do things. Thanks to Richard’s help I’m better able to regulate my emotions, my relationships with people around me are improving, and I feel really positive about the future for the first time in ages.
Written on Jan 20, 2025 after therapy with Richard for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and trauma and abuse
Richard was wonderful. Kept things very casual which made opening up to him extremely easy. He knew just what to say and when to say it to steer the conversation in the right direction without forcing the matter. Couldn't recommend Rich enough.
Written on Dec 27, 2024 after therapy with Richard for 3 weeks on issues concerning addictions, and intimacy-related issues
Richard is an amazing listener, gives me very suitable advice depending on the situation and where my mind is at. I feel a lot better and have clear view after sessions with him. Deeply appreciate that.
Written on Nov 26, 2024 after therapy with Richard for 2 weeks
Whenever I listen to Richard, I pray that I would be like him. He sees things in a different perspective and gives you a huge picture of hope when you are healed. I am blessed to have met Rich and became my therapist.
Written on Nov 06, 2024 after therapy with Richard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and coping with life changes
Rich is very considerate; he recalls and checks in about developing situations in a compassionate and mindful way. This is especially important in telehealth, where the context of a situation/environment can impact what is safe to discuss during a session. I feel that he cares more about my progress and wellbeing than other telehealth practitioners I've had through various platforms in the past, and he is knowledgeable about a range of issues and therapeutic interventions. He's really making a helpful difference in my currently-tumultuous life!
Written on Oct 22, 2024 after therapy with Richard for 1 year on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Very supportive and very receptive.
Written on Sep 10, 2024 after therapy with Richard for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Richard is very open and kind, he remembers what we last spoke about and gives me practical support and ideas to try. He offers me reassurance that my feelings are valid - which is something I struggle with. He’s helped me overcome some fears that were really effecting me - thank you so much!
Written on Aug 03, 2024 after therapy with Richard for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, and coping with life changes
Richard has a fantastic skill in being able to attentively listen to my concerns in an empathatic way. His manner is friendly, trusting and approachable. From our very first session I felt a connection with Richard which helped hugely in giving me that constructive and safe space to talk.
Written on Mar 20, 2024 after therapy with Richard for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, and coping with life changes
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