An experienced and qualified counsellor (BACP Accred), coach and for over 25 years, Rick has published eight books on wellbeing and people-support.

But most of all, Rick focuses on building effective, engaging and professional relationships with his clients. He is empathic and sensitive, able to provide the time and space that clients need, using a solution-focused, problem-focused or change-focused approach, all underpinned by sound training and ongoing professional development.

Rick trained as a Counsellor in the mid 1990's, initially in Georgia USA, then at Strathclyde University under Professor Dave Mearns, after which he co-edited his first book, 'Experiences of Person-Centred Counselling Training', which is now recommended reading on many UK counselling courses. He was awarded an Honorary Research Fellowship for his MPhil on 'Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace'.

Rick then founded 'Edinburgh Coaching & Counselling' (ECC), headed up Person-Centred Therapy (PCT) Glasgow Ltd and become the Northern UK Counsellor for a global pharmaceutical company.

He was lured to the UK's largest employee assistance programme provider and specialised as Clinical Case Manager for most of the UK's rail operators, concentrating on trauma support. At ICAS, as well as privately, Rick provided post-trauma support after 9/11, the London Bombings and the Asian Tsunami.

In 2002, Rick became Deputy Chair of the Association for Counselling at Work and the specialist journal editor for 'Counselling at Work', a post he held for 9 years. He joined the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP) in 2008 as their Lead Advisor: Workplace as an advocate, advisor and ambassador for talking therapies in the workplace, for practitioners, business and the UK government.

Latterly, Rick was Head of Service for the University of Aberdeen Counselling Service, which provided support to the student and staff community of just under 20,000 people from around 130 nationalities. During his tenure, his service was short-listed for the Principal's Award for Excellence. On leaving the University, he was awarded Honorary status.

Rick is currently editor of the internationally-recognised University & College Counselling journal and continues to provide therapy services and consultancy around the world.