Richard De Val

Richard De Val is an experienced Addiction Therapist and Recovery Specialist, working with adults as part of the specialist outpatient addictions programme at Schoen Clinic Chelsea. He has a background in both private practice and specialist clinical settings, supporting individuals with complex and high-functioning presentations.

Richard works with adults experiencing addiction, compulsive behaviours, stress, and burnout, often in the context of demanding professional roles or significant personal pressures. Many of the individuals he supports may feel ambivalent about change, sceptical of traditional treatment models, or are seeking a pragmatic, personalised, and non-prescriptive approach to recovery.

His therapeutic style is collaborative, non-judgemental, and evidence-based, integrating contemporary psychological models with a strong emphasis on dignity, autonomy, and sustainable change. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all framework, Richard tailors treatment to each individual’s values, goals, and circumstances, supporting both harm reduction and longer-term wellbeing.

Richard has a particular interest in helping clients develop emotional regulation, clarity, and resilience, alongside meaningful and realistic behavioural change. His work supports individuals to move beyond cycles of shame or overwhelm, and towards a more stable and self-directed sense of recovery.

As part of the multidisciplinary outpatient addictions team at Schoen Clinic Chelsea, Richard works closely with colleagues to provide integrated, person-centred treatment for individuals experiencing addiction and co-occurring mental health difficulties.

Specialist Training

• Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy

• Motivational Interviewing (MI) & Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

• Brainspotting (Trauma & Performance phases)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Mindfulness-based approaches