David Willetts

In Counselling

Counselling

I offer counselling for individuals and couples.  I place a number of key values and beliefs at the heart of my work: that people have intrinsic worth and strengths that they can use, that they can think about and evaluate their experience and situation and make new decisions, and that people can change, grow and develop.  Empathy and understanding underpin my work, as does a recognition of the challenge that anyone faces when dealing with significant change, including the context in which change occurs.  The focus of my work, which stems from these values and beliefs, is to help people to identify the problems that they are facing, to consider what they mean in the context of their lives and their hopes, and ultimately to decide what, if anything, they wish to do about them.

Qualifications

My first degree was in Psychology, followed by a practice-based degree in Psychological and Social Interventions, using cognitive-behavioural approaches with people to identify and resolve problems, and make significant life changes.  Following this, from 2009 to 2013, I completed 4 years of training in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy (I am a member of the UK Association for Transactional Analysis).  In 2015, I completed a Chartered Management Institute Level 7 Certificate in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring.

Professional background

I have offered counselling in private practice since 2012.  Alongside this I work as a trainer for Samaritans, helping private and public sector organisations respond effectively to people in distress and difficulty, to reduce the risk of vulnerability and suicide.  I also deliver a range of mental health and wellbeing-related courses, including internationally recognised courses such as Applied Suicide Interventions Skills Training (ASIST) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).  From 2012 to 2017, I worked as a part-time lecturer at Leeds Beckett University with mental health nurses, adult health nurses and counselling students developing counselling and helping relationship skills.  Prior to this, from 2003, I worked in the voluntary sector, with people recovering from severe and enduring mental health problems.

Sessions last 55 minutes for individuals and couples.

Phone: 07586 322 048

Email: info@dwcounselling.org