Feeling lost, stressed, or worried?
As well as conventional talking therapy, Geek Mental Wellbeing supports you to reach your goals through fandoms and pop culture. From anime to TV shows, videogames to tabletop roleplay, we'll use your passions to explore what truly matters to you and where you want to be on your journey.
Geek Mental Wellbeing offers a safe space to explore what's troubling you and learn strategies to overcome life's obstacles on your Hero's Journey through one to one therapy.
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Do you want to be able to...
Feel connected and less isolated
Manage overwhelming emotions
Tackle daily tasks and navigate living abroad
Overcome self-doubt and trust yourself more
"Oh my God, is this what therapy is?" - Bojack Horseman
Rediscover joy in your hobbies and fandoms
Therapy is about talking through what's troubling you in a safe space and giving you the tools to overcome the difficulties that you face. My aim is to help you to explore what truly matters to you, and to help you reach your chosen goals so that you can feel more fulfilled and self-confident in your life.
Therapy is a process, and there's no one size fits all. My approach is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), drawing elements from both evidence-based therapies depending on your personal needs and preferred style. We will work together at your pace so that you feel comfortable.
Catherine Richardson (she/her)
Psicóloga General Sanitaria M-36968
I am a licensed psychologist registered with the Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos in Madrid. While originally from England, I have lived in Madrid for nearly ten years and am familiar with the joys and struggles that come with adapting to a new country and culture.
I graduated with a Bachelor's in Psychology in 2012, an International Diploma in Mental Health Law and Human Rights from the World Health Organization in 2013, and my Master's in General Health Psychology in 2018. I trained as an instructor with Mental Health First Aid England and have delivered courses to service users, carers, NGO staff and private companies in the UK and Spain. I've volunteered with the Samaritans crisis service, the Nightline listening service for students, and the National Autistic Society befriending service.
Here's how I work
A handful of my fandoms. Left to right: The Sims, My Little Pony, TTRPG, board games, Pokémon
As a geek therapist, I'm passionate about meeting you where you are, including your fandoms and interests, and using these in therapy to make you feel more comfortable and build coping skills to face challenges.
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My areas of focus are: Anxiety, Autism, Bullying, Coaching, Coping skills, Counselling, Depression, Divorce, Grief, Relationship issues, Resilience, Self-esteem, Self-harm, Social skills, Stress, Suicidal Ideation, and Supporting Adult Siblings of people with lifelong disabilities (I have lived experience).
I work with people with ADHD and autism spectrum conditions from a neurodivergence-affirming approach, focusing on strengths as well as strategies to navigate challenges. I am LGBTQIA+ affirming and kink-friendly.
Book your first session at a reduced price
"While it is always best to believe in oneself, a little help from others can be a great blessing." - Uncle Iroh, Avatar The Last Airbender
129
Clients
3
Interviews
18
Courses
I was at the end of a difficult relationship and had lost my self-confidence. Thanks to your support, I regained self-love and started rebuilding myself. I went from feeling broken and unworthy to being self-confident and successful in both my relationship and job. I’m more at peace and have a better mental health routine. You take little 'space' in conversations, are a master listener, and open-minded on sexual topics. You’ve never been judgmental, and your encouraging, sensitive, and kind nature makes your approach both fun and professional.
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A.B.
Catherine's sessions have helped me to be more assertive and organised whenever I face a challenge, especially in terms of relationships. I truly value all the tools she has provided me with to overcome the most pressing issues (work-related matters, relationships etc). My perspective has changed when it comes to relationships. I can convey my own priorities better to my partner and choose to continue (or not) accordingly. I have been able to leave behind some toxic, long-lasting relationships without holding grudges. I would recommend therapy with Catherine to evolve in your life and be more mindful.
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C.A.
My experience with Catherine was not only very cathartic and eye-opening, but it was also heavily focused on solutions to help deal with my mental health issues. Catherine guided me to some enormous lightbulb moments throughout our sessions that I would have struggled to arrive at without her. I still use the techniques that Catherine taught me, which have been immensely helpful for my anxiety—it’s such a relief to have things I can proactively do when I'm feeling anxious. I highly recommend sessions with Catherine if you're considering them and being as open and honest as possible.
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R.D.
Here's what my clients have said
PERSONALISED THERAPY
Based on my years of experience and training, I adapt to each individual's needs and preferences to guide you to reach the life you personally value.
DIRECT CONTACT WITH ME
Feel free to reach out to me via WhatsApp or email for any questions or concerns. No chatbots, it'll always be me answering.
100% SECURE PAYMENT
Payment can be made by bank transfer or Bizum in Spain, or by Revolut, Wise or Paypal from other countries.
UNIQUE JOURNEY
You'll be affirmed in using your own interests, fandoms and passions without judgment.
FAQs
What is the first session like? In the first session, which lasts between 50 minutes and an hour, I'll attentively listen to you so that we can identify the main issue you're facing, and ask you questions about yourself. If you're not entirely clear about it, don't worry! I'll guide you by asking questions that will help you define the problem we'll work on together.
How long is each session? Each session is typically 50 minutes, but we can always extend the session by up to an additional 10 minutes if needed. This allows us to ensure that we have ample time to address your concerns and make progress in our work together.
Will online therapy work for me? Absolutely! Many of my clients have had the same concern before starting sessions, but I've been working in this mode since before the pandemic and neither my clients nor I have felt that the essence of therapy has been lost. I treat my online clents with the same care and attention as those I see in person. What I do ask is that you find a quiet place for our sessions where you won't be overheard, so you can talk freely and we can make the most of our time together.
What platform will we use for online therapy? I typically use Zoom, but some patients prefer a WhatsApp video call, and that works just as well. I can adapt to the platform that you prefer. Let me know which one works best for you, and we'll go from there. Some clients prefer to use the Zoom chat function to type rather than talk, and that's perfectly okay.
How do I pay for online sessions? My bank account is in Spain and clients in Spain can also pay by Bizum, but if you're from a different country you can pay by Wise, Revolut, or I can provide you with my PayPal account details for secure and convenient payment. Just let me know what works best for you.
Client Testimonials
Thank you for providing a safe space to talk and work through feelings with constructive listening, I am grateful to have met with you and learned tools to better understand and react to my emotions. I feel way more confident in my ability to work through difficult feelings, which I struggled a lot with in the fall. I am glad with the progress we made together.
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E.C.
Therapy sessions with Catherine have been transformative, helping me navigate and overcome significnt challenges. I highly recommend her services; her compassionate approach and expertise make a profound difference.
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L.M.
Catherine had the best metaphors when it came to thoughts. The visualisation exercises really helped me out! I also appreciated Catherine helping me challenging myths of normal - like how love doesn't have to be easy, a healthy amount of conflict is good is long as it doesn't go against your core values, and that whoever said relationships were these easy fairy tales were wrong.
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M.M.
The new technique feels like a magic power! I'm so grateful! Reading these chapters you sent, I feel so much clearer and I'm feeling much better these days and better equipped to take on life. Thank you for all the help you've provided. You've been amazing, and I've learned so much with your support.
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F.A.