Dr David McNally
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About me
Feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed, or stuck in patterns that are difficult to shift? You may be struggling with stress, work, relationships, past experiences, or a sense that you are trying hard but still not feeling how you want to feel.
I'm Dr David McNally, an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist offering private psychological therapy for adults in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and online. I have over 10 years' experience working in NHS mental health and psychological therapy services, alongside extensive doctoral and specialist postgraduate training in psychological assessment, formulation and evidence-based therapies.
People come to therapy for different reasons. You might be experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, stress, low self-esteem or difficulties in relationships. Sometimes the reasons for feeling distressed are relatively clear, yet finding a way forward remains difficult. At other times, you may notice familiar patterns of thinking, feeling or responding without fully understanding why they keep happening.
It can feel daunting to reach out for support, particularly if you've never attended therapy before or have had mixed experiences with particular approaches in the past. My aim is to provide a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental space where we can work collaboratively to understand what is troubling you and find ways forward.
My approach to psychological therapy
As a Clinical Psychologist, my extensive training across different psychological models allows me to draw on a range of evidence-based therapies, including Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), approaches informed by Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and other trauma-focused approaches.
An important part of my work involves us developing a shared understanding of your difficulties, known as a psychological formulation. Rather than me simply telling you what I think is happening, we work together to explore how your experiences, relationships and circumstances may have shaped the way you think, feel and respond to situations today. This helps us identify patterns that might be keeping you feeling stuck and consider what could help you move forward.
For example, we might explore how self-criticism, worry, rumination or particular ways of coping have developed over time. These responses can sometimes make sense in the context of what someone has experienced, even when they are no longer particularly helpful. Understanding this can create opportunities to respond differently, rather than simply feeling frustrated with yourself for struggling to change.
Alongside developing this understanding, therapy involves working towards meaningful changes. This might include learning practical strategies for managing difficult emotions, reducing unhelpful patterns of thinking or behaviour, developing greater emotional awareness, or finding new ways of approaching challenging situations and relationships.
Compassion is an important part of my approach. This involves helping you develop a more understanding and supportive relationship with yourself, particularly when experiencing self-criticism, shame or feelings of inadequacy. Rather than simply trying to change how you feel, we can explore how to respond to difficult experiences in ways that are both helpful and compassionate.
I believe therapy should be adapted carefully to fit you as a person, rather than expecting you to fit a particular model. Drawing on different therapeutic approaches allows me to tailor our work to your individual needs, strengths and goals.
What to expect
I offer a free 15-minute introductory telephone consultation. This is an opportunity to briefly discuss what has brought you to therapy, ask any questions you may have and consider whether working together might be helpful.
If you decide to proceed, our first appointment will involve an initial psychological assessment. We will explore your current difficulties, relevant experiences and what you would like to achieve through therapy. This may continue over subsequent sessions, depending on your needs, before we agree on a plan for our work together.
Therapy may be relatively brief or involve longer-term work, depending on your circumstances and goals. We will review progress regularly and consider together what is working well and whether anything needs to change.
If you're curious about how I may be able to help with your particular concerns, please get in touch. Together, we can begin to make sense of what feels difficult and consider a way forward that feels right for you.
Training, qualifications & experience
I hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Bangor University and have undertaken extensive additional postgraduate training, including specialist training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through the University of Oxford and the University of Birmingham.
My doctoral training provided a comprehensive foundation in psychological assessment, formulation, research and evidence-based psychological interventions. Since qualifying, I have continued to develop my clinical expertise through further therapeutic training, professional development and experience across a range of psychological approaches.
Throughout my NHS career, I have worked with people experiencing a broad range of psychological difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, longstanding emotional and relational difficulties, and more complex mental health presentations.
My clinical experience includes working with people whose difficulties may be longstanding, interconnected or difficult to understand through a single diagnosis or therapeutic approach. This breadth of specialist training and clinical experience enables me to draw on different areas of psychological knowledge and evidence-based practice when working with both common and more complex presentations.
In addition to providing psychological therapy, my NHS work has involved specialist psychological assessment, consultation and supporting the development of psychological understanding within multidisciplinary teams. These experiences have further developed my clinical skills and the breadth of expertise I bring to my private practice.
I am registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and maintain my professional practice through ongoing professional development and clinical supervision.
Member organisations
school 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.
The HCPC are an independent, UK-wide health regulator. They set standards of professional training, performance and conduct for 16 professions.
They keep a register of health professionals who meet their standards, and they take action if registered health professionals fall below those standards. They were created by a piece of legislation called the Health Professions Order 2001.
Registration means that a health professional meets national standards for their professional training, performance and conduct.
Areas of counselling I deal with
Other areas of counselling I deal with
Self-criticism, rumination, overthinking, emotional regulation difficulties, feelings of inadequacy, shame, guilt, people-pleasing, difficulties with boundaries, identity and self-worth, longstanding patterns of thinking and behaviour, difficulties with self-compassion, and psychological adjustment to challenging life experiences.
Therapies offered
Photos & videos
Fees
£130.00 per session
Free initial telephone session
Health Insurance/EAP
Additional information
Individual psychological therapy sessions are £130 for 50 minutes.
I offer a free 15-minute introductory telephone consultation to discuss your needs, answer any initial questions and consider whether working together might be helpful.
I accept self-funding clients and work with a number of private health insurance providers, including AXA Health, Aviva, Bupa, Healix, Vitality and WPA.
If you are planning to use private health insurance, please check your cover, obtain any necessary authorisation and confirm whether an excess or other contribution applies before arranging your first appointment.
Payment for self-funded sessions is by bank transfer.
When I work
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I currently offer appointments on Monday and Wednesday evenings, with some additional evening and weekend availability by arrangement. Please get in touch to discuss a suitable appointment time.
Further information
Face-to-face and online appointments
I offer private psychological therapy for adults, with face-to-face appointments available at:
Dr David McNally Clinical Psychologist
The Natural Health Centre
The Professional Centre
Radbrook Green, Bank Farm Road
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY3 6DU
Online psychological therapy is also available for people who prefer the flexibility of attending appointments remotely.
Availability
Appointments are currently available on Monday and Wednesday evenings, with some additional evening and weekend appointments potentially available by arrangement.
Getting started
If you're considering psychological therapy, please get in touch to arrange a free 15-minute introductory telephone consultation. This provides an opportunity to discuss your needs, ask any initial questions and consider whether working together might be helpful.
For further information about my approach and services, please visit www.drmcnallypsychology.co.uk.
