David Chidgey

Psychodynamic Counsellor & Psychotherapist, MBACP, MBPC

If you are experiencing issues with anxiety, depression, stress, bereavement, abuse, relationship issues, low self-esteem or a lack of confidence, I offer counselling where together we can get to the bottom of your difficulties and help you to understand yourself more clearly.

I am a Psychodynamic Counsellor/Psychotherapist, registered with the BACP and British Psychoanalytic Council, working in Winchester and Odiham in Hampshire. I can provide you with a confidential, non-judgemental 'space' to reflect upon and work through the issues you are facing.

Counselling requires commitment from us both, but gradually, over time, it can be a rewarding way to enable you to manage the issues that life throws your way.

Where I work

I offer in person sessions on the first floor of Counselling@unit12 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm. In addition, I work in person in Odiham on Thursdays.

If you are unable to work with me in person then I do offer sessions on-line, via Zoom or WhatsApp.

 My approach

Psychodynamic counselling is fundamentally concerned with trying to understand how your past relationships and behaviour affect your behaviour and relationships in the present. It attempts to understand the conscious and unconscious elements that influence a person's mood, thoughts and behaviour patterns to help you envision a deeper, meaningful life for yourself. 

In its purest form it is a healing relationship, where the therapist is willing to go with their clients, into the dark and painful spaces of their inner world. It is primarily about connecting and healing.

Central to beginning our work is the establishment of trust and boundaries within a therapeutic environment. We meet in a neutral setting; at the same time and for the same duration (50 minutes), every week.

In order to maintain boundaries, direct questions may not be answered but considered like any other thought you may have, all the while providing a non-judgemental stance to help you to discuss material which can often be very difficult and painful.

By doing this I hope to provide a safe and consistent environment for you to air troubling issues and whatever is currently distressing you, where you can be heard and listened to.

I aim to provide you with both a physical and psychic space allowing you autonomy in setting your own agenda when discussing your material.

Agreement

Once we agree to commence counselling, we will enter into a counselling agreement together. This sets out the agreement in terms of the commitment in terms of time and payment as well as the maintaining of the therapeutic boundaries, a safe environment and confidentiality.

Boundaries

The agreement sets out the time, place and setting of each session. Our sessions take place at the same time, on the same day, in the same room each week and in doing so we hope to ensure safety and containment.

As part of our boundaries, I will not answer direct questions, rather I will treat such questions like any other thought you may have.

Autonomy

The sessions are your sessions, focussing on your agenda and I strongly encourage you to have autonomy over your counselling. Normally the ending of counselling will be by mutual prior agreement however you have the right to end your counselling at any time. If at any time we feel that counselling is no longer helpful or appropriate for you I will discuss this with you.

Ethical Framework

I am a Registered Member with the British Psychoanalytic Council (bpc.org.uk) who affirm that my training and clinical work are of the highest standard and are underpinned by a growing evidence base showing the efficacy of psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

I am required to comply with their Code of Ethics, undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and sign an annual declaration. The BPC is accredited by the Professional Standards Authority, who report to the UK Parliament.

I am also a Registered Counsellor MBACP (Member of the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy) and I adhere to its Ethical Framework for Good Practice.  Details are available at www.bacp.co.uk. I am subject to regular Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks, attend regular Clinical Supervision and Continued Professional Development (CPD). I also hold professional indemnity insurance.

Training and Qualifications

I completed a Diploma in Psychodynamic Counselling (BACP and BPC accredited) in 2016 and have been in private practice since then.

I am committed to regular training and Continued Professional Development annually to keep abreast of the current psychotherapeutic thinking and techniques. These include seminars, lectures, reading and study groups. I have been on the board of the Wessex Psychotherapy Society, a forum for discussing topics of contemporary interest in the field of psychotherapy and counselling with talks and seminars by eminent practitioners, for ten years. 

My Experience:

I work with young people (18+), Adults and Older Adults.

Although not an exhaustive list, I have supported clients in the following areas: