David Wakely, M.A. UKCP reg.
Counselling and psychotherapy

I undertook my first counselling training in 1997 at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling in London. I also studied psychoanalytic and existential psychology at Birkbeck College. In 2002, I started a Masters degree in existential psychotherapy and counselling, validated by the University of Sheffield, which I finished in 2005. I have been registered with the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) since 2006.

In 2003, I commenced working as a counsellor for EACH (Ethnic Alcohol Counselling) in Hounslow and in 2004 for the Terrence Higgins Trust in London, enabling me to gain a broad base of experience in working with mental and sexual health issues and with problems connected to relationships and to sexual, cultural and self identity.

After graduating, I was keen to explore further the nature of interpersonal dynamics. Consequently, I have taken courses in couple counselling at the Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships in 2007 and in same-sex couple counselling at Pink Therapy in 2009.

In addition, I have attended training workshops in the use of CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) techniques for depression, anxiety disorders (including social anxiety, health anxiety, panic and generalised anxiety disorder) and anger. I have also recently started to explore the use of mindfulness and acceptance strategies in psychotherapy and counselling.

I moved to Bristol at the beginning of 2008. I currently run my own private therapy and counselling practice and I work in a part-time capacity as a counsellor for a major international company based in Bristol.