David Baker, BACP

David Baker is a counsellor with 12 years of experience who helps people work through a wide range of life challenges. He is a BACP member and offers a calm, down-to-earth approach for people feeling overwhelmed by stress, grief, relationship trouble or sexual and intimacy concerns. He welcomes conversations about everyday struggles and more complex issues alike.

He trained in person-centred psychotherapy at Warwick University and adds elements from transactional analysis and existential thinking. David describes his practice as pluralistic - he draws on several approaches and tailors sessions to what each person finds most helpful. Sessions are intended to be practical and grounded rather than full of jargon.

In therapy he listens without judgement and helps people notice patterns that keep causing pain. He works to strengthen self-awareness, improve communication, and reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Where relationship issues arise, he uses methods aimed at improving understanding between partners and individuals.

David has worked in private practice in London and has experience in the voluntary sector, a large UK mental health charity, and a leading bereavement service. That background informs his work with grief, loss and trauma. He also supports people dealing with addiction, shame, self-esteem and sexual or intimacy-related issues.

People usually come to him for both short-term focused work and longer-term therapy. To start, he asks about what matters most to the person seeking help and then agrees a plan that fits their goals and life commitments.

Approaches used in online counselling and what they do

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current emotional patterns and close connections; it can help when trust, intimacy or abandonment fears affect relationships. Client-Centred Therapy places the person at the heart of the work and offers a non-judgemental space to talk things through, which suits people needing space to make sense of their feelings. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, behaviours and emotions and teaches simple skills to reduce anxiety, low mood and unhelpful cycles.

Finding the best approach is part of the therapeutic process. David will work collaboratively to decide which methods to emphasise based on a person's needs, goals and preferences. That way the work adapts as issues change and progress is reviewed together.

Please confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking, as the biography indicates online and telephone counselling have been provided in the past. Online options can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Telephone sessions may be a good fit when video is not possible or a quieter, lower-bandwidth option is preferred. Registered or accredited professionals can use these formats to help people maintain continuity of care while juggling work, family and travel commitments.