David Ward
Psychotherapeutic Counselling
& Coaching Psychology
What’s it all about?
Talking therapy, also known as psychotherapy, counselling, or psychological therapy, is a form of psychological intervention that involves speaking with a trained professional about your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It is designed to help individuals manage a variety of emotional, psychological and life-related challenges, to promote improved mental well-being and enhance personal growth.
Talking therapy often encompasses a wide range of clinical approaches, yet at its core, it serves to create a safe, non-judgmental space in which individuals can openly and freely explore their thoughts, beliefs and emotions. A therapeutic environment is designed to promote self-awareness and psychological insight, allowing clients to develop greater objectivity and understanding to their needs. Through guided reflection and dialogue, individuals are supported in cultivating both cognitive and behavioural coping strategies that facilitate meaningful, lasting change and emotional resilience.
Therapeutic Approach.
My therapeutic model is built upon the principles of person-centred therapy, which supports the client to access their own potential for self-development through the exploration of their life experience, past and present.
Person-Centred Therapy is a humanistic approach and utilises empathy, authenticity, and unconditional positive as resources that support the clients journey toward self-healing. The therapeutic relationship between therapist and client is also viewed as an essential component of effective therapy and characterised by mutual respect, open communication, and a shared understanding of agreed aims to promote better outcomes.
Integrative Therapy.
Integrative therapy is a holistic approach to clinical practice, which means that it combines various therapeutic concepts to address the unique needs of each individual. While person-centred therapy forms the foundation of my clinical orientation, my approach is also significantly influenced by psychodynamic theory, a theoretical framework that seeks to understand the origins of emotional and psychological distress.
Central to psychodynamic theory is the belief that early life experiences and unresolved conflicts, particularly those rooted in childhood can have a lasting impact on how we relate to ourselves and others. Psychodynamic therapy provides a framework for exploring historical trauma that can manifest as ongoing dysfunctional behaviours, emotions, and relational patterns. Therefore, the therapeutic aim is to bring these unconscious influences into conscious awareness to encourage insight and objectivity to meaningful psychological change.
Integration of Coaching
Psychology
Coaching psychology and positive psychology are resources that apply evidence-based research within a clinical setting. These help to promote personal development via the scientific study of human flourishing by optimising the clients own strengths and resources to promote personal growth.
By using coaching psychology within my practice I offer a therapeutic model that seeks to promote lasting change through the clients own actions to engender lasting personal development. The integration of therapy and coaching psychology offers a framework for addressing trauma-related psychopathology while empowering clients to take an active role in their ongoing development through intentional behavioural change, challenging maladaptive patterns and fostering healthier ways of thinking, feeling and engaging with life.
Qualifications.
I am a fully qualified therapist and a registered member of the BACP (British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists). I completed my professional training at CPPD in London, gaining a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) and an Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (AdvPGDip) in Humanistic Integrative Counselling. In addition to acquiring the relevant qualifications needed for clinical practice I have also completed a Master’s Degree (MSc) in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, which has deepened my understanding of the concept of human flourishing and personal development.
I adhere to the ethical frameworks of both the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC). I have appropriate insurance for my clinical work and any documentation relating to any of my qualifications can be provided.
Experience.
II have extensive experience working within substance misuse services, including Equinox, Change Grow Live (CGL), and Westminster Drug Project. My professional background also includes roles within the NHS and the education sector, most notably as an associate therapist at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. I currently lead a clinical service for Nacro, a national criminal justice organisation working in partnership with the Ministry of Justice, providing support to individuals facing a range of complex mental health challenges.
In contrast, my work as a therapist and coaching psychology practitioner also involves supporting individuals who are not experiencing significant mental health challenges but instead feel stuck, unfulfilled, or uncertain about their direction in life and just need support re-establishing their focus on the aspects of life that matter.
What Next?
While this website offers a brief overview of how I work, many of the most meaningful aspects of therapy can’t fully be captured here.
To support you in making an informed decision, I offer a free 30-minute in person or online consultation. This will give you the chance to share a little bit about yourself within a strict confidential meeting and ask any questions you may have to get a sense of whether my therapeutic approach feels like the right fit for your needs.
Beginning a therapeutic journey can feel daunting and the connection between therapist and client plays a central role in all areas of therapeutic practice. Therefore, if you’d like to understand a little more about how I work you can contact me via the form below or feel free to phone or email me directly.
Contact/Fees.
30 minute consultation – Free
60 minute consultation – £80
80 minute consultation – £110
Face to face and online appointments available.
Stotfold, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom.
Strictly by Appointment Only
Phone 07870 601374
Email david@themetacognitionspace.com
