David Mayes, BACP

David Mayes is a counsellor with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and eight years of experience. He offers a warm, approachable style that aims to help people talk through difficult moments. People come to him for issues such as depression, anxiety, grief, substance misuse and relationship or intimacy concerns.

He uses a humanistic, client-centred way of working that focuses on listening and being genuine. Sessions are intended to give people room to explore what matters to them and to find ways forward that fit their life. David aims to treat each person with politeness and respect while supporting practical change.

David has worked in a variety of settings including IAPT, the NHS and in a prison setting, and he has experience offering telephone and online sessions. He has worked with both domestic and international clients and understands cultural and identity concerns, including those relevant to Chinese and South East Asian backgrounds.

His practice covers a wide range of concerns such as addiction, trauma and abuse, parenting and family stress, ADHD, career issues, body image and caregiving stress. He is also open to talking about kink, BDSM and alternative sex culture in a non-judgemental way. He supports people coping with long-term illness or chronic pain as well as those dealing with bereavement.

David aims to help people feel understood and to empower them to make changes they choose. He encourages an honest, collaborative relationship so people can work through feelings and practical problems at a manageable pace.

How David’s client-centred approach translates to online work

David practices client-centred therapy, which centres on listening, warmth and genuine regard. In sessions he focuses on understanding each person’s experience and reflecting that back to help them make sense of feelings and choices. This approach often helps with anxiety, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief and the emotional impact of addiction.

David’s humanistic outlook means he works collaboratively. He will discuss what feels most helpful, adapt the pace to the person and check in about goals and preferences. Finding the right way of working is part of the process and will be decided together rather than prescribed in advance.

The biography records experience of online and telephone work, and that he has seen both domestic and international clients. Readers should confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking. Online or phone sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Those options can be useful when someone wants continuity of support while travelling or balancing work and family commitments.