Counsellor profile
David Atlay, BACP
Counsellor - stress and anxiety help
See online counselling options- Client-centred approach
- CBT techniques
- Grief and trauma
About David
David Atlay is a counsellor and a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). He has ten years' experience helping people in the United Kingdom with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, career questions, depression and coping with life changes.
He trained to a postgraduate diploma level in counselling and works in a person-centred way. That means he listens and follows what each person brings to the session. He also uses cognitive approaches to help people recognise and change unhelpful thinking patterns.
In a session he invites open conversation about what is causing difficulty. He helps clients break issues down into manageable parts and consider practical steps forward. He describes counselling as a space for exploring feelings and trying new strategies for handling them.
David also works with concerns such as addiction, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief, eating and parenting stresses. Additional areas he lists include abandonment, adoption and foster care, attachment issues, body image, caregiver stress, commitment and communication problems, and blended family issues.
Sessions aim to reduce immediate pressure and build coping skills over time. He combines listening with practical techniques from cognitive work to help people test different ways of thinking and behaving. If someone wants to begin, they are asked to use the site's matching process and book a first session.
How his approaches work for online counselling
David uses client-centred counselling and cognitive behavioural work in his practice. Client-centred counselling focuses on listening and following what the person brings. It is useful for people who want a supportive space to talk through feelings and life problems. Cognitive behavioural work looks at how thoughts influence feelings and behaviour. It teaches practical techniques to test and change unhelpful thinking patterns, which can help with anxiety, low mood and stress.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. David will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and agree which methods to try. He may combine listening with short exercises between sessions so that changes can be tested in everyday life.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, cut travel time and offer a quieter setting for focused work. Phone contact can suit shorter check-ins or when video is difficult, while video may help maintain face-to-face interaction when needed. Registered or accredited professionals often find these arrangements help people keep therapy consistent alongside work and family commitments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
10+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
David works with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, career issues, depression and life changes. He also lists addictions, relationship difficulties, trauma and grief among his areas of practice.
What style of therapy does he use?
He uses a person-centred approach that focuses on listening and following the client's concerns. He also uses cognitive methods to help people notice and shift unhelpful thoughts.
How much experience does he have?
He has ten years' experience working as a counsellor in the United Kingdom.
Which credential does he hold?
He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can people outside the UK access his service?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I start working with him?
Use the See online counselling options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.