Geraldine Richards

I work with couples and individuals. I have a warm and authentic approach to counseling where I listen intently and offer emotional support. I have a therapeutic manner that tends to help people feel at ease about raising sensitive issues and aim to build a safe and trusting relationship, where problems can be openly disclosed and discussed. I attend to each client as a unique person. Some people are in intense distress while others have a general low mood or loss of direction and want assistance in making a difficult decision. Many are looking for relief from a relentless self-critic.

Some clients will begin to feel much better and less alone quite quickly just by being listened to and feeling understood while others need longer-term assistance with more complex circumstances. I understand relationship concerns, chronic illness, existential issues, addiction, exploration of the self, feelings of grief, hopelessness and also feeling safe to be happy, for example.

Generally I encourage an increase in awareness of experiences in everyday life as this is where change can begin. As a flow on from this, more choices can open up as well an increase in tolerance of feelings and levels of acceptance. I also offer my own ideas when required.

Please feel free to call me to discuss whether I can provide you with the kind of support that you might need.

My Qualifications are;
Master Counselling and Human Services M.C.H.S. (La Trobe); Grad. Diploma Gestalt Psychotherapy (GTA); Cert. Child Psychiatry (Melbourne/Monash Uni); Grad. Diploma Leadership and Organisation Dynamics (Swinburne).

I have worked in a range of settings including community health, telephone counselling, mental health, and private practice over the last eight years, helping individuals, couples and groups with a wide variety of concerns, which include relationship issues, parenting problems (also parenting adult children), adjustment difficulties, grief and loss, depression, confidence loss, anxiety, trauma and addiction. I use a variety of counselling modalities and have specific training and interest in Gestalt Psychotherapy, which particularly focuses on the client’s experiences and is a highly validated approach.

• Malvern Rooms