David Merritt

I offer face to face sessions in a room in Morpeth.

Precise available times will be discussed in our initial chat.

Life can be difficult. It throws up challenges, changes and conflicts. These can be within ourselves, or in our relationships and work, or from living in a worrying world.

Counsellors work together with people who are faced with troubles, burdens and questions and seek to help them find a better place to be.

Whatever the source of the problem I believe that counselling has the potential to help. People can talk to someone who will not judge them but listen to them carefully and supportively. This may be all that is needed - the chance to speak openly and get something “off the chest.” But Counsellors can also go a little deeper and use a range of techniques which may provide extra help.

I have sought to be that helpful and supportive person all my life, working as a teacher and counsellor in school, church, private and local authority settings.

I have a Diploma in Pastoral Counselling and work in an integrative fashion which means I employ a variety of well respected, tested and tried counselling techniques as appropriate. These include Person-centred, Transactional Analysis, Cognitive Behavioural, Existential and Solution Focussed Therapies.

Having said that, the relationship between counsellor and client is the most important thing and I seek to provide a safe and comfortable setting where we can work together in a trusting, teamworking relationship. 

I believe the most important thing in counselling is to establish what is known as a good "therapeutic relationship." This means that the client feels listened to, respected and valued and trusts the counsellor to be on their side. My aim is to give that respectful listening ear and earn that trust.

Once this is established we can work together on the issues making joint decisions on the content and pace of the work.

I can bring a variety of perspectives and techniques into the situation which will hopefully be of help.

I offer a free initial phone conversation for us both to get a sense of whether we can work together.

In our first meeting in the counselling room I will give more information about how I work, collect some details and hear your story.

I will also outline confidentiality and data protection arrangements.

Then we can decide how to proceed.