David Chittenden, ACA

David Chittenden is an ACA counsellor with 16 years of professional experience. He helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain and major life changes. He aims to create a respectful, compassionate space where people can start to talk about hard things and take practical steps forward.

David works with individuals and couples and has experience supporting people with disability. He uses a range of approaches and adapts sessions to each person's needs. Conversations focus on what is happening now and what can be done next, rather than jargon or long theoretical explanations.

People who come to David often want clear tools for managing anxiety, help with communication in relationships, or support when rebuilding confidence after a big change. He also works with issues such as grief, trauma and questions around intimacy and sexual culture. Sessions can include practical skill building alongside deeper discussion about values and meaning.

David describes therapy as a collaboration. He listens first, then designs a plan that fits each person's rhythm and goals. That plan might include thought-based strategies, relationship work, or approaches that draw on broader life questions and personal meaning.

Taking the first step can feel worrying. David aims to make beginning therapy straightforward: he will explain the process, set clear goals, and check in on progress so people know what to expect at each stage.

How David’s approaches work online and what to expect

David commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Existential Therapy alongside relationship-focused work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns and building practical skills to manage anxiety, mood and daily functioning. Existential Therapy looks at life meaning, values and choices, which can help when people face major life changes or questions about purpose.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals and preferences, and together they will decide which methods to try. This makes the process collaborative and adaptable as needs evolve.

Confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It also gives flexibility for sessions that focus on discussion, skill practice or relationship work without requiring people to rearrange large parts of their day.