I'm David O'Rourke, I help people to explore the dynamics of their inner world, and to formulate changes designed to result in a life that is more satisfactory to them.

 

When I am working with an individual I do not see them as a person who has something "wrong" with them and that I have the "expertise" to "fix" it. I see a person who wants to change their life and I help them explore, evaluate, weigh, and make discoveries in a collaborative way, so that they are empowered to make decisions about their lives which suit their objectives best.

 

Though I hold the academic and professional qualifications listed below, in the counselling room I rely more on developing an open and transparent relationship with the person I am working with in order to create a space where they have complete freedom to examine and explore the aspects of their life they want to change. I do this by, among other things, listening, attending, maintaining that space and avoiding having an agenda myself.

 

 

 

 

Academic Qualifications

 

I have worked as a counsellor and psychotherapist for more than ten years. Before that I worked in Pastoral Care for several decades.

 

Studying in PCI College, I earned an Honours Degree in Science in Counselling and Psychotherapy from Middlesex University, with First Class Honours.

 

I also hold a diploma in Person Centred Counselling, as well as a diploma in Theotherapy.

 

I am an accredited member of the IACP and the IACC.

 

A long time ago I attended the National College of Art and Design, and went on to serve an apprenticeship in Studio Pottery, ultimately running my own studio. This experience has proved useful in counselling in that sometimes I use creative clay work and other art media to assist the therapeutic process.