Please contact me for more information. Contact details can be found below.
Welcome to Zoe Richards Counselling
Confidential online counselling for adults and teenagers aged 13–17. Flexible sessions from the comfort of your home
Who do I work with
I work with adults and young people aged 13–17 who may be struggling with anxiety, low mood, stress, relationship difficulties, life changes, or feeling stuck and overwhelmed.
Whether something specific is troubling you or things just do not feel quite right, we can explore it together.
Issues I can support with
I have experience working with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, stress, life events and grief and loss. I work in an integrative way and use different techniques like CBT to help you in your counselling journey.
I work with adults and young people (aged 13–17) online on a one-to-one basis, offering a warm, confidential, and safe space to share thoughts, feelings, and emotions. I am compassionate, caring, and empathetic, and my approach is to support and empower you to find your own solutions and make positive changes at your own pace.
Online sessions are convenient as you can schedule a time to fit around you, whether that is after work, childcare or life commitments.
What are the sessions like?
Starting counselling can feel scary, and it is normal to feel nervous. I will do my best to help you feel safe, comfortable, and listened to.
In the first session, we will talk through the counselling agreement, confidentiality, and any questions you may have, so you know what to expect.
After that, you will have space to talk openly about how you are feeling. I may ask gentle questions to help you understand your thoughts and feelings and work through things in your own time.
Why choose me?
I work one-to-one with adults and young people aged 13–17, offering a warm, confidential, and safe space to talk. My approach is compassionate and supportive, helping you understand your thoughts and feelings, find your own way forward, and make positive changes at a pace that feels right for you.
I offer online sessions, making it easier to fit counselling around work, childcare, school, or other commitments.
I hold a current DBS certificate and insurance, and as a Registered Member of the BACP, I’m committed to working in a safe and ethical way.
My experience includes working with local mental health charities in Bourne and Lincolnshire, in schools, as well as previously providing counselling in a GP surgery.
My Training and Qualifications
- Pearson BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills
- NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Counselling Skills and Theory
- Level 4 Diploma in Counselling Skills and Theory
- BA (Hons) Education Studies TQUK
- Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health (RQF)
As a qualified counsellor I endeavor to keep up-to-date with new learning and techniques. Below are some recent CPD training I have engaged with.
- Working with Anger (2025)
- ZSA Suicide Awareness Course (2025)
- Core Competence for Working Therapeutically with Children & Young people (2025) - Including Understanding Child Development, Law and Ethics & Skills and Adaptions.
- Pre-trial Therapy (2025)
- Endings & Beginnings in short to mid-term counselling with Children and Young People (2025)
- Safeguarding Certificate (2025)
- Bereavement Awareness (2025)
- Working with Shame (2025)
- Dialectal Behavioural Therapy (2024)
- How to Thrive with Adult ADHD (2024)
- Body Image (2024)
- Mental Health First Aid Champion (2024)
- Trauma-Informed Interventions (2024)
- Introduction to Sand Play (2023)
Depression Counselling
Depression can make everyday life feel heavy and hard to manage. Things you once enjoyed may feel difficult, and even small tasks can seem overwhelming. You do not have to face this on your own.
What Depression can look like:
- Low mood
- Tearful
- Lack of Motivation
- Feeling Frustrated
- Negative Thinking
- Appetite Changes
- Feelings of Hopelessness
- Withdrawal from Social Activities
- Tiredness etc. (This is not an exhaustive list)
In counselling, we can gently explore how you are feeling and find helpful ways to support your well-being, build coping strategies, and help you move forward one step at a time.
Anxiety Counselling
Anxiety can affect people in many different ways. You may find yourself overthinking, feeling on edge, struggling to relax, or expecting the worst. It can also show up physically, such as a racing heart, feeling shaky, trouble sleeping, or finding everyday situations hard to face.
What Anxiety can look like:
- Excessive Worrying
- Restlessness
- Headaches
- Frustration
- Muscle Tension
- Stomach Ache/Butterflies
- Sweating more than usual
- Feeling Sick
- Panic Attacks etc. (This is not an exhaustive list).
Counselling can help you understand your anxiety better, explore what may be causing it, and find ways to manage it. Together, we can look at helpful coping strategies, build confidence, and help you feel calmer, more in control, and better able to cope day to day.
Grief and Loss Counselling
I offer a safe and warm space for you to talk about your loss at your own pace. I offer a listening ear to help lighten the burden and walk with you on your journey navigating grief and loss. There is no right or wrong way to grieve and there is no time limit for grief to be processed.
Together we can explore your feelings and thoughts to explore coping strategies and to help you feel more present and find new perspective on life.
Self-Esteem Counselling
Low self-esteem can affect how you see yourself and how you move through everyday life. You may doubt yourself, compare yourself to others, find it hard to accept praise, or feel like you are not good enough. These feelings can affect your confidence, relationships, and the choices you make.
What Low-self-esteem can look like:
- Negative Thinking
- People Pleasing
- Avoiding Social Events
- Self-Sabotaging
- Lack of Confidence
- Self-doubt
- Fear of Failure etc. (This is not an exhaustive list).
Counselling can help you explore where these feelings may have come from, notice unhelpful patterns, and begin to build a kinder and more balanced view of yourself. Together, we can work on self-compassion, confidence, and helping you feel more comfortable in who you are.
Stress Counselling
Stress is something many people experience, especially when life feels busy, demanding, or overwhelming. It can affect you in different ways, such as feeling irritable, exhausted, worried, tearful, or unable to switch off. It can also affect your sleep, concentration, confidence, and ability to cope with everyday life.
What Stress can look like:
- Muscle Tension
- Difficulty Sleeping
- Anxiety
- Low-mood
- Racing Thoughts
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Changes in appetite
- Irritability etc. (This is not an exhaustive list).
Counselling can give you the space to slow down and talk about what is going on. I can support you to understand what may be causing your stress, explore how it is affecting you, and find practical ways to manage it. Together, we can look at helpful coping strategies, build emotional resilience, and help you feel more balanced, supported, and in control.
About me
I am a qualified integrative counsellor who cares deeply about helping people feel heard, supported, and understood. I know that life can sometimes feel heavy, confusing, or overwhelming, and I believe counselling can offer a calm and caring space to pause, breathe, and begin to make sense of things.
My own experience with mental health as a young adult is part of what led me into counselling. Because of that, I understand how difficult it can be to reach out, open up, or even know where to begin. That experience has helped shape the way I work, with kindness, empathy, and respect for each person’s story. My aim is never to rush you or tell you what to do, but to walk alongside you as you find your own way forward.
Outside of counselling, I love spending time in nature and exploring new walking trails. Being outdoors helps me slow down, notice the small things, and recharge. I also enjoy photography and love learning new techniques, finding beautiful places to capture, and seeing the world from a different perspective. These interests bring me a lot of joy, curiosity, and balance, and they are a lovely reminder of the importance of making space for the things that help us feel grounded.