David Carter

I am available at my studio in Carlisle on:

 Fridays, 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

 Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

I also offer online sessions during these hours, providing flexibility and accessibility for those who prefer to meet remotely.

The therapy I offer is tailored to the unique needs of each person I meet, and always grounded in ethical practice, compassionate connection, and respect for the courage it takes to seek help. Whether you're facing anxiety, trauma, stress, life transitions, or other areas of emotional discomfort, I bring both extensive professional training and real-world insight to walk alongside you on your healing journey.

My Why

My own journey has significantly shaped the way I work. Having lived through complex trauma, addiction, and a sense of not belonging, I understand how isolating and overwhelming life can sometimes feel. What helped me most was the acceptance I found in therapy, and the healing this brought through being truly seen and heard. That experience instilled in me a profound belief in therapy, and its ability to bring awareness, ease internal conflict, and support meaningful change. This has led me to a deep immersion in therapeutic approaches that I offer to others in my therapeutic practice. My lived experience has equipped me with an understanding and genuine empathy for the challenges my clients may face, allowing me to authentically and compassionately connect with their experiences.

How We Work Together

With over 20 years鈥� experience in care and therapeutic settings, I understand the importance of feeling safe, respected, and heard. I offer Counselling and Psychotherapy to adults, young people, and teenagers. We may also incorporate Mindset Coaching techniques where helpful. These methods allow us to explore your past, present, and future, helping you understand how your experiences have shaped you, impact current challenges, and help facilitate a healing resolution. I work integratively, meaning I draw on a range of therapeutic modalities including Transactional Analysis (TA), humanistic, CBT, psychodynamic, solution focussed, and narrative therapy to support your unique needs. I provide a calm, confidential space where you can explore challenges, build resilience, and grow in self-awareness, self-compassion and confidence.

What To Expect

Clients often describe my approach as calm, authentic, and compassionate. Sessions are relational, meaning that the therapeutic relationship itself becomes the safe foundation for growth. The trust, empathy, and collaboration we build together are central to the work, helping you feel seen, understood, and validated as you explore both the difficulties and your strengths. Therapy with me is not something 鈥渄one to you,鈥� but a shared process where your voice, needs, and hopes guide the way.

I know that taking the first step into therapy can feel daunting, but you don鈥檛 have to do it alone. It鈥檚 important to me that you find the right therapist for you, so I offer a free, informal 20-minute consultation by phone or online via Zoom. This gives you the chance to ask questions and get a sense of whether we might be a good fit for one another. If you decide to continue after this initial meeting, we can then arrange your first full therapy session. 

Sessions last 60 minutes.Your first therapy session will be an opportunity for us to explore what has brought you to therapy and what you hope to gain from the process. We will take time to talk about your goals, any current challenges, and what feels most important for you to focus on. During this session, we will also agree on a therapeutic contract, which outlines the practical and ethical framework of our work together, including confidentiality, session boundaries, and mutual agreements, helping to create a safe, clear, and supportive foundation for our time together.