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About me

Hello, I’m David Whitelock, an experienced counsellor with over 15 years of experience working within the NHS. I’ve supported adults facing a wide range of emotional and mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, trauma, bereavement, addiction, and relationship issues.

Before joining the NHS, I worked as an addictions counsellor in a rehabilitation centre.  I also worked supported parents in parenting settings. I’ve had the privilege of working with people from many different cultural, ethnic and LGBTQ+ backgrounds, and I value the diversity and individuality of each person I work with.

I offer a warm, supportive and non-judgmental space where you can explore what’s happening in your life, understand yourself more deeply, and make meaningful changes.

How I work

I work as an integrative counsellor, which means I draw on different therapeutic models and tailor therapy to suit your individual needs. My aim is to help you feel more whole, connected and able to manage life’s challenges.

Together, we’ll explore what’s troubling you and identify patterns, changes or new perspectives that can help you move forward. Some clients come for short-term focused work, while others prefer longer-term therapy for deeper exploration.

I offer face-to-face and online sessions, depending on what feels right for you.

Types of therapy

• Integrative Therapy
• Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
• Counselling for Depression (CfD)
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

What I can help with

• Anxiety and depression
• Bereavement and loss
• Relationship and communication difficulties
• Addiction and recovery
• Trauma
• Identity, culture and spirituality
• Long-term health conditions
• Life changes and transitions

Training, qualifications & experience

• Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling – Filton College, Bristol (2008)
• Level C Qualified IPT (Interpersonal Therapy) Practitioner – Accredited since 2021
• Training and experience in Counselling for Depression (CfD) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Over 15 years’ experience as a counsellor within the NHS
• Background in addiction counselling and parental support work

Our first session will be an assessment session. We will work together to explore your difficulties, assess your needs and decide on the best way forward to structure your therapy. It is quite usual for therapy to then start off with an agreement for 6 sessions on a weekly basis. However, sometimes it can be clear that more sessions would be useful and some models of therapy suggest 16 or more sessions. This is ok and I can work either short or longer term with you depending on what feels right for you.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) is a 16-session model that focuses on the relationship between depression & your relationships. The first 4 sessions are assessment sessions that inform the work in a further 8 sessions. The last 4 sessions will then focus on maintaining your well-being. This can be helpful if you’ve had a life change, you are struggling to resolve an issue between yourself & someone else, you’ve had a bereavement which is affecting your relationships, or you have struggled with your relationships with others longer term. At our assessment session we can decide together if this therapy is for you or whether or more ‘blended’ approach would feel more appropriate.

Fees

• £50 per session (including assessment)
• Sessions are paid by bank transfer before each session
• Therapy available face to face or online

Additional information

Taking the first step to seek support can feel daunting, but it’s also a positive act of self-care and courage.

If you’d like to find out more or arrange an assessment session, please contact me for a brief, no-obligation conversation.

📞 07443 413 274

📧 whitelockdavid@yahoo.co.uk