David Hansen
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BACP Accredited Person-Centred Counsellor
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About me
When I describe myself as ‘Person-Centred’ I mean that the aim, more than anything, is to offer you a space to explore anything you want about yourself, without judgment, in a space of empathy and genuineness. You are in control of what you want to talk about, and how deeply you want to go into it. Rather than specific strategies or advice, my aim is be alongside you as closely as I can, wherever it is that you want to go and what you want to explore. I won’t tell you what to do or suggest what you ‘should’ be feeling, because I believe that you are the expert on yourself and you are the best person to navigate your own life - what I aim to do though is work with you collaboratively to help you get into a place which is more in line with where you want to be.
What I will do in the session though is attempt, as best I can, to understand exactly what it is like to be you in the present moment, and to communicate that understanding as genuinely as I can with you. The sense of safety and understanding that I hope we can develop from this is the starting point from which we can work collaboratively to use the space as you see fit. Some people come with clear mental health goals in mind and want to talk about specific things about themselves, while others want to use the space to explore broader personal questions about their life and who they are. Others still have no particular plans for what to do in the space, but nevertheless feel that they get something out of it. All are fine - it is your space to do what you want with.
Some people come for a long time, while some people come for only a handful of sessions; I’ve had some people come for one session and feel that was enough, while others come for a handful of weekly sessions every now and then. As well as how you use the space, you are also in control of how long you want to come for.
Recent feedback:
"David helped me figure out the answers for my life myself. He was somebody there for me, listening, not telling me what to do, but always helping me understand. He helped me get things out there so I could make sense of them. A big thank you for your time, expertise and professionalism."
Training, qualifications & experience
I have been practicing for many years and have supported people with a wide variety of issues. I have experience working with adults, young people (12-18) and children, and have an additional qualification specifically in counselling children.
Alongside counselling itself, I have previously spent time managing a counselling service in a school and before qualifying was a primary school teacher. I also currently teach the Level 3 Certificate and Level 4 Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. This involves teaching counselling theory and all practical elements of the counselling role, as well as fostering a group environment in which students can explore their own 'stuff' without feeling judged.
Member organisations
British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP)
BACP is one of the UK’s leading professional bodies for counselling and psychotherapy with around 60,000 members. The Association has several different categories of membership, including Student Member, Individual Member, Registered Member MBACP, Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Accred) and Senior Registered Accredited Member MBACP (Snr Acccred).
Registered and accredited members are listed on the BACP Register, which shows that they have demonstrated BACP’s recommended standards for training, proficiency and ethical practice. The BACP Register was the first register of psychological therapists to be accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).
Accredited and senior accredited membership are voluntary categories for members who choose to undertake a rigorous application and assessment process to demonstrate additional standards around practice, training and supervision.
Individual members will have completed an appropriate counselling or psychotherapy course and started to practise, but they won’t appear on the BACP Register until they've demonstrated that they meet the standards for registration. Student members are still in the process of completing their training.
All members are bound by the BACP Ethical Framework and a Professional Conduct Procedure.
Accredited register membership
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.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
BDSM and Polyamory - I am comfortable working with people from either/both communities, and also people just wanting to explore any feelings about kink or polyamorous relationships in a safe and accepting environment.
Therapies offered
Fees
From £30.00 to £40.00
Free initial telephone or online session
Concessions offered for
Additional information
I charge £30 per session online, or £40 for a face to face session. The service is equal - I feel it is fair to charge less for online though, because I do not need to rent a room in Leeds for £10, and want to pass that saving on to the client.
I am based in Leeds but can see clients remotely from all over the country.
I am aware that I am relatively cheap, and this is a deliberate choice. I need to earn a certain amount from my practice, and I set my prices in line with this in order to be as affordable as possible.
When I work
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Current availability:
Monday: 11am (remote/face to face), 2pm (face to face), 3pm, 4pm, 5pm (remote/face to face)
Tuesday: 6pm (remote)
Wednesday: 4pm, 5pm (remote/face to face)
Further information
I work at an office in Leeds City Centre or if you prefer online via Zoom or Google Meets.
