- Person-centred approach
- Cognitive behavioural tools
- Mindfulness practice
About David
David O'Hara is a BACP-registered counsellor based in the United Kingdom with three years' experience. He works with practical problems such as stress, anxiety, depression and relationship difficulties. He also supports people facing life changes, career uncertainty and questions about life purpose.
David trained in psychology and has postgraduate study in counselling and mindfulness-based approaches. He draws on person-centred ideas alongside cognitive behavioural techniques and motivational interviewing. This mix helps him work with everyday struggles like low self-esteem, people-pleasing and trouble with communication.
Sessions are conversational and focused. David listens for the patterns that keep repeating and helps people try small experiments to see what changes. He uses mindfulness practices when useful, and he can teach simple, grounded exercises for calming the mind and improving sleep.
People bring a wide range of concerns, including grief, addiction, trauma, parenting stress, LGBT issues, anger and compassion fatigue. He also notes work with ADHD, bipolar mood challenges and intimacy-related problems as areas he addresses in sessions. The emphasis is on practical coping, clearer decisions and noticing personal strengths.
David asks people about their goals and preferences in the first meetings. Together they agree on the pace and focus. He expects some homework-like steps between sessions when those feel helpful, and he checks in about what is and isn’t working as therapy continues.
How his approaches translate to online sessions
David commonly uses client-centred ways of working and cognitive behavioural techniques in his practice. Client-centred therapy is about listening closely to what matters to the person and shaping sessions around their concerns. It helps people clarify values and feel heard. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking and testing new behaviours to reduce anxiety, tackle low mood and improve sleep. Mindfulness approaches teach simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and support calm.Choosing the right approach is part of the work. David discusses goals and preferences in early meetings and helps decide whether a gentler listening approach, CBT-style experiments, mindfulness exercises, or a mix will suit someone best. He frames this as a collaborative process and adjusts methods over time based on what the client finds useful.
Session formats are not specified in the profile, so please confirm the available options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they fit into work breaks, reduce travel time and allow easier scheduling around family or health demands. Other practical benefits include shorter check-ins when needed, using audio-only for less screen time, or trying guided mindfulness exercises together. These choices make it easier to fit therapy into everyday life while working on stress, life purpose and coping skills.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem and life changes, among other concerns listed in his profile.
How does he approach someone who feels stuck?
He blends person-centred listening with practical cognitive behavioural techniques and motivational interviewing to identify patterns and try small changes.
What is his professional background?
He has three years' experience and postgraduate study in counselling and mindfulness-based approaches, plus earlier psychology degrees.
Where is he based and what credential does he hold?
He practises in the United Kingdom and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, shown as BACP.
Can I work with him if I live outside the UK?
Sessions are offered in English and he is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available?
Please confirm current session options before booking as the profile does not list explicit formats.
How are fees arranged?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the crisis numbers.