Richard holds two masters degrees; an M.Ed. from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and an M.A. From Harding University Graduate School. Richard is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with the state of Georgia and a nationally certified counselor (NCC) with the National Board of Certified Counselors.

Richard is one of the founders of the International Association of Certified Sexual Addiction Specialists (IACSAS) where he served as president for 13 years, and a founding board member of the Association for Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists (APSATS) where he served for over 4 years. He developed the first graduate course to be taught on sexual addiction along with a colleague and guest lectures in a variety of University level courses. Richard is a frequent guest on Atlanta area radio & television programs dealing with sexual addiction, spouses/families of addicts, and domestic violence. He is the author of the LIFE Guide for Young Men, and a Journey Through Secrets. He is the co-author of Spouses of Sex Addicts: Hope for the Journey (book & workbook) and the LIFE Guide for Couples.