David Whitelock

Hi, my name is David Whitelock,

I have over 15 years of experience working with the NHS as a counsellor, providing therapy to the people who suffer with a range of mental health difficulties such as depression & anxiety for example. Prior to this I worked as an addiction’s counsellor for a rehabilitation centre. I have also done work supporting parents & have provided support for men in parenting settings.

Within the NHS I have been in a position to provide therapy for people from all walks of life, from the age of 18, all the way up into their 90’s. This includes people from different cultures & ethnic backgrounds and the LGBTQ+ community. This has given me experience of an extensive range of issues from depression, anxiety, bereavement, trauma, addictions, gender & transition issues and people struggling with long term health difficulties to name but a few. I feel blessed to have this wealth of experience, knowledge & understanding. I hope this experience helps me to help you.

I work as an integrative counsellor, drawing on various therapeutic models so that therapy can be ‘blended’ and tailored to suit your needs. I hold a Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling and qualified in 2008 from Filton College in Bristol. I am a Level C Qualified Accredited IPT (Interpersonal Therapy) practitioner Since Oct 2021. I have training & experience in Counselling for Depression (CFD) and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). I am also a fully accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). 

I have a great deal of experience of helping those with communication & relationship difficulties. I have interests in spirituality & faith, and hold an opened minded approach in how we see the world. I have a great deal of experience, passion & interest in working with cultural & ethnic minorities & the challenges with living in diverse communities. I also have in depth experience and understanding of the difficulties faced by people who suffer with long term health issues.    

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 wellbeing. 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.

Sessions are priced at £50 per session. Assessment sessions are also £50. Sessions are paid for before each session by bank transfer. I am able to work with you either face to face or by video sessions remotely.

If you would like to learn more or have any questions, please contact me for a brief conversation and we can arrange an assessment session together.

My telephone number is 07443413274 & my email is: whitelockdavid@yahoo.co.uk