David Atlay, BACP

David Atlay is a counsellor with ten years' experience who works from a person-centred stance. He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling. David aims to help people cope with anxiety, stress, low mood and other struggles so they can feel more energised and in control.

He focuses on listening carefully and responding without judgement. Sessions are intended to be supportive and empowering so people can consider new ways of handling problems. David combines person-centred work with practical strategies drawn from cognitive behavioural ideas when they fit a person's goals.

In a typical session the client talks while the counsellor listens and reflects back what matters. They then explore patterns, identify small changes to try, and work on a plan that feels manageable. The emphasis is on steady progress rather than quick fixes.

David helps with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, career worries, bereavement, relationship difficulties, trauma, addictions and eating-related issues. He also pays attention to matters such as attachment, abandonment, care-giver stress and blended family dynamics.

People who prefer a calm, encouraging listener and practical next steps often find this approach useful. If the style sounds like a fit, the next step is to start a short matching process and book sessions that suit the individual's schedule.

How these approaches shape online support

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening, empathy and supporting a person to find their own solutions. It helps when someone needs time to make sense of feelings and to rebuild confidence. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions and introduces practical steps to change unhelpful patterns; it can be useful for anxiety, low mood and behaviour changes.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the individual to agree what to try first and will adjust methods as goals and needs become clearer. That way the work stays focused on what matters to the client rather than following one fixed method.

If you are considering online therapy, check which session formats are currently offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time and allow regular check-ins that suit a person's schedule. Some formats also let people choose quieter or shorter check-ins, or avoid being on camera when that helps them engage. Registered or accredited professionals can adapt both client-centred listening and CBT strategies to remote sessions, helping people practise new skills between meetings and track small improvements over time.