Please contact me for more information. zoerichardscounselling@outlook.com
Welcome to Zoe Richards Counselling
Confidential online counselling for adults and teenagers (aged 13–17 years). 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.
If you're feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stuck, or finding it difficult to make sense of what you're thinking and feeling, you don't have to work through it all on your own.
Issues I can support with
I have a particular interest in supporting people experiencing:
- Anxiety, worry and overthinking
- Low self-esteem and confidence
- Stress and feeling overwhelmed
- Grief and bereavement
- Loss and difficult life changes
- Relationship difficulties
- Emotional difficulties and challenges with coping
- Young people experiencing anxiety, low confidence or other emotional difficulties
I offer a space where you can explore your feelings without judgement or expectations about how you should be coping.
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 in an Integrative way, which means I don't believe counselling should be a “one size fits all” experience.
You are the expert on your own life, and I will work collaboratively with you to understand what you need from counselling. I will listen carefully to what you share and, where appropriate, gently help you explore thoughts, feelings and patterns that may be affecting you.
I also have training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which means that where it feels appropriate for you, we can explore practical strategies to help you understand and manage unhelpful thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
My aim isn't to tell you what you should do. Instead, I want to help you develop a greater understanding of yourself and find ways forward that feel 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 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
- Level 5 Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
- Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse
- BA (Hons) Education Studies
- 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 believe that feeling genuinely heard and understood can make a real difference. I aim to offer warmth, compassion and acceptance, while creating a space where you can be yourself without fear of judgement.
Outside of counselling, I enjoy spending time outdoors, walking and photography. I find being in nature a helpful way to slow down and create some space, and I bring this calm and unhurried approach into my work with clients.