David Wakely

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MA UKCP Reg
Limited availability
Limited availability

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

location_on Bristol BS6 & BS8
Limited availability
Limited availability

This professional is accepting new clients but may have a waitlist. Please enquire with them directly to discuss availability.

About me

I am a fully qualified, experienced and registered counsellor and psychotherapist, offering a constructive, grounded approach in a safe and confidential environment. My aim is to help you explore and gain clarity on aspects of your life and to resolve problems which are troubling you.

I work with people on a wide range of recognised problems, including anxiety, depression, confidence and self-esteem, anger, difficulties in relationships, sexual problems, addictions etc.

I also work with issues that are less easy to define - confusion and lack of direction, loss of joy or meaning in living, difficulties in relating to others, concerns about identity or sexuality.

My experience has taught me that everyone who comes to counselling brings with them a unique set of background, circumstances, values and and beliefs. Consequently, I do not have a "one size fits all" approach, but endeavour to work in a way that recognises and respects this uniqueness.

About myself

I have been working as a counsellor since 2003. I became a qualified and registered psychotherapist in 2006, having completed a masters degree in existential psychotherapy and counselling, validated by the University of Sheffield.

I have worked as a counsellor for the Terrence Higgins Trust in London, for EACH (Ethnic Alcohol Counselling) in Hounslow and for the DAS group in Bristol, enabling me to acquire a broad base of experience in the areas of mental and sexual health. I have also worked in private practice since 2006, first in London and now in Bristol.

Since graduating, I have continued to study, both formally and informally, and to undertake a range of professional development activities. This has included training workshops and courses in CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) techniques, narrative therapy and working with sexual minorities. (For a list of my qualifications and additional training, see below.) Most recently I have completed a year-long training in the treatment of sex addiction/sexual compulsivity, which has allowed me further to develop my knowledge and experience of addiction and of human sexuality.

Making contact

If you would like to make an appointment, then simply e-mail me by using the link on this page or telephone me on the above number. I will get back to you as soon as I can. (Alternatively, take a look at my website if you would like to know more about my approach.)

The first meeting is our chance to decide whether we want to continue working together or not.

If we agree to continue, I will usually suggest a fixed number of meetings at first (normally six), which we can extend later if we wish to.

Training, qualifications & experience

Main qualifications

2005

MA Existential Psychotherapy & Counselling (University of Sheffield)

1997

Certificate in Counselling Skills (New School of Psychotherapy & Counselling)

Additional training and professional development

2020

Personality disorders - diagnosis, treatment and management (online course, PESI)

Families and beyond: an introduction to systemic thinking (online course, Tavistock and Portman)

2017-18

Professional Certificate in Therapeutic Practice with Sex Offenders (StopSO)

2015-16

Certificate in Psychosexual Studies (Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships)

2013-14

Professional Certificate in Sex Addiction (Association for the Treatment of Sex Addiction and Compulsivity)

2013

Radical ecopsychology (2 week experiential course, Schumacher College)

2012

Narrative practice level 1, intensive course (Institute of Narrative Therapy)

2011

Essentials in sexual minority therapy, modules 1 & 2 (Pink Therapy)

Working with sexual compulsivity in gay and bisexual men, workshop (Pink Therapy)

Understanding and recognising sex addiction, seminar (Paula Hall/Listening Post)

Uncertainty: exploring our responses in an unpredictable world, weekend workshop (Ernesto Spinelli/Sulis Practice Masterclass)

2010

Introductory training in ACT - acceptance and commitment therapy (Mindfulness Training)

8 week mindfulness course (Philippa Vick)

2008/2009

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression, anxiety disorders (panic disorder, social anxiety, OCD - obsessive-compulsive disorder, health anxiety) and anger, workshops (Jacqui Porter)

Current developments in cognitive behavioural therapy, workshop (Jacqui Porter)

Relationship therapy with sexual minorities, workshop (Pink Therapy)

The homelessness of human experience, workshop (Greg Madison/Society for Existential Analysis)

2007

Introduction to couple interaction, summer school (Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships)

2002-2006

Workshops on HIV/AIDS, working with sexual minorities and sexual health issues, bereavement (Terrence Higgins Trust)

Workshops on working with alcohol and substance addictions (Ethnic Alcohol Counselling, Hounslow)

1997-1998

Courses in psychonalytic psychology: Kleinian and object relations theories, Lacan and post-modernism, existential psychotherapy (Birkbeck College, London

Member organisations

school Registered / Accredited

Registered / Accredited

Being registered/accredited with a professional body means an individual must have achieved a substantial level of training and experience approved by their member organisation.

UKCP
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) is a leading professional body for the education, training and regulation of psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors. Its register is accredited by the government's Professional Standards Authority.

As part of its commitment to protect the public, it works to improve access to psychotherapy, to support and disseminate research, to improve standards and to respond effectively to complaints against its members.

UKCP standards cover the range of different psychotherapies. Registration is obtained by training or accrediting with one of its member organisations, or by holding a European Certificate in Psychotherapy. Accredited by the Professional Standards Authority.

Accredited register membership

UK Council for Psychotherapy
Accredited Register Scheme

The Accredited Register Scheme was set up in 2013 by the Department of Health (DoH) as a way to recognise organisations that hold voluntary registers which meet certain standards. These standards are set by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

This therapist has indicated that they belong to an Accredited Register.

UK Council for Psychotherapy

Areas of counselling I deal with

Fees

£50.00 per session

Additional information

£50 per session (£20 for introductory session)

(Please note that cancellations must be made with 24 hours notice. Otherwise, the full fee is payable, although I will always try to find an alternative time for us to meet.)

When I work

My working hours are generally weekday mornings between 9.00 and 14.00 and Monday through to Thursday evenings from 5.00 to 7.30 pm.

Type of session

In person
Online

Types of client

Adults (25-64)
Older Adults (65+)