David Stirling

I am an accredited member of the BACP.

I have established a private practice since January 2021, working both face-to-face and online. I have found through experience that Face-to-face therapy and Online therapy, though they are not the same dynamically, can both be equally effective. The ‘person to person’ therapy in my own home, is in a set apart room for counselling, affording safety and confidentiality to clients. I also work online using 'Whatsap' and 'Signal', both of which platforms use secure and encrypted video links. 

I have a varied experience career, having worked in youth work for over 12 years, 11 years in a Probation Board (NI) residential project as a counsellor and group worker. 9 years in business establishing and running my Chip shop and Café (taking 9 of my staff on a social education experience, to build houses for others in Costa Rica with Habitat for Humanity).

I consider myself to be an Integrative counsellor, greeting clients with Person Centred genuineness, empathy and acceptance, while sharing with the client the intentionality of working towards a beginning; middle and end. My work is built on the developing needs and issues of the client, often using CBT to enlighten, challenge and grow perception.

The integrative way of working is about responding to the clients needs as they emerge. Person Centred therapy and Personal Construct Psychology  approaches help clients develop the confidence to express their thoughts and describe experiences. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy gives a framework for the thoughts, emotions, choices and behaviours attached to their key experiences or the difficult situations they are in. Psychodynamic understanding enables me to bring the reality of how a client is ‘being’ in any one moment or phase. Together with other theories and modalities I seek to apply the most relevant approach to my client.

My first session is about creating a safe space and the awareness of confidentiality that allows my clients to relax and start to have a voice about their own life. For me it's about being a good listener, for my client's it may well be the first time someone has been truly present to them as they seek to express their thoughts and feelings and recount their experiences.

Together we will build a picture of their life or specific issues, explore them in more detail and seek to enhance their understanding and awareness of choice as the work develops.