Kirsty Richardson, MBACP
Trauma-Informed Counsellor
I work with adults to help them feel safer in their bodies, understand their experiences, and develop practical tools to manage emotions, reactions, and relationships. I'm a fully qualified counsellor, currently undertaking advanced training in trauma therapy (somatically informed) to work more deeply with the body, and inner processes that shape emotional and relational patterns.
A Bit About Me
Background & Training
I have over 15 years of ongoing professional experience supporting adults with complex mental health and social care needs, including case management roles in adult social services- (prevention and reablement), housing scheme management, and mental health crisis support. This work has exposed me to a wide range of trauma presentations, substance misuse, carer distress, neurodivergence, homelessness and re-entry from the justice system, safeguarding concerns, and relational harm from different vantage points – experiences that guide my counselling practice.
As a counselling practitioner, I have worked directly with people who have experienced domestic violence, as well as issues relating to neurodivergence.
In addition to my experience, I have qualifications in counselling, psychology and mental health, as well as more specialised training in areas related to trauma, abuse and neurodivergence. This combination of training, qualifications, and hands-on experience has shaped a holistic and intersectional understanding of trauma.
Focus & Approach
Focus
I work directly with trauma, including distressing individual events and complex trauma from repeated exposure to harm, such as childhood and/or domestic abuse, bullying and other situations that cause ongoing distress. I have a particular understanding of psychological and emotional aspects of abuse and how it can create confusion, undermine self-trust, and affect confidence and wellbeing.
Areas I have particular understanding of:
Neurodiversity & Sensitivity
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Neurodivergence (e.g., ADHD, ASD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia)
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HSP/Hyper-Empathy
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Trauma from Neurotypical Preference / Societal Norms/ Neurodivergent Experiences
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Neurodivergent Masking and Burnout
Emotional & Mental Health
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Stress & Burnout
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Low Self-Confidence/ Self-Esteem
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Coping with Grief and Loss
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Complex and Disenfranchised Grief
Trauma & Abuse
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Complex and Single-Event Trauma
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Intersectional/Cumulative Trauma
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Childhood Abuse (including sexual, physical, emotional abuse, neglect, scapegoating) and ongoing abuse, including within families
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Minority Trauma / Discrimination-Related Trauma
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Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control
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Relationship Dynamics & Power in Platonic Relationships
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Sibling Abuse
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Narcissistic Abuse
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Emotional/Psychological Abuse (e.g., chronic invalidation, silent treatment, humiliation, exclusion)
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Passive-Aggressive Behaviour
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Betrayal Trauma
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Parental Alienation
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Attachment-Related Issues
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Secondary Trauma from Invalidation/ Not Being Believed
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Cycles of Past Experiences (repetition compulsion)
Family & Relationship Dynamics
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Children of Military or Authoritarian Parents
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High-achievement or Perfectionism Patterns
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Parentification
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Estrangement/No Contact
Workplace & Social Challenges
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Workplace Bullying
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Smear Campaigns
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Assertiveness & Boundary Setting
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Developing Positive Relationships
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Vicarious Trauma
Health & Carer Support
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Chronic Illness/Disability, and Cognitive/Sensory Impairments
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Brain Injury
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Supporting Wellbeing in Carers
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Caring for Someone with Substance Misuse, Mental/Physical Health Issues
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Carer Burn-Out & Compassion Fatigue
My Approach
To create a tailored approach for each person, I work from a person-centred foundation, underpinned with trauma-informed methods to ensure the work is paced safely for deeper exploration. You remain in control of the direction, with me supporting sessions towards your goals in a way that prioritises safe processing.
Together we can explore external experiences, such as relationships and any challenges you face, to understand how they influence your sense of safety, wellbeing, and self-trust. I can also support you in making sense of confusing experiences, recognising unsafe relationships, establishing healthy boundaries, and strengthening trust in yourself.
For deeper work, we explore internal experiences – including thoughts, emotions, and relational patterns – in a holistic way that supports nervous system regulation and addresses how trauma can be stored in the body. This is done using somatic-informed practices such as grounding exercises, gentle movement, and breathwork, which support the body to feel safe both during and outside of sessions.
Accessibility & Inclusion
My practice is inclusive and accessible, and I hold space with understanding and respect for neurodivergent clients, those living with disability/chronic illness, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. I’m committed to ensuring therapy is flexible and accessible, offering online and adaptive options to meet individual needs. Please get in touch to find out more about how sessions can be tailored to support you.
Related Expertise
I’m also a Reiki Master and yogi with experiential knowledge of Kundalini and spiritual emergence. While I don’t offer direct spiritual or energetic healing in sessions, I welcome clients who wish to integrate a spiritual dimension into their therapeutic work, and I hold space with sensitivity and respect for individual beliefs and experiences.
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