David Stark

I have availability on Friday daytimes and some Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday evenings. I currently only offer online appointments.

I will be away in September 2025 from 8th - 19th September.

Welcome to ICH Counselling – Insight, Change & Healing

Supporting You Through Life’s Challenges. I believe there are 3 key tasks in counselling:

Insight; learning more about yourself and why things are the way they are in your life at present. I can help you deepen your self-knowledge and understanding.

Change; most clients come to counselling because they want to make changes in their lives. This often involves starting by changing yourself. I can help in that process.

Healing; where clients have been hurt or wounded, they need to heal. I support clients seeking to heal the damage they may have experienced along the way.

Whether you're navigating the pain of loss, the pressures of university life, or the complexities of being a man in today’s world, you're not alone. I'm David Stark, a qualified counsellor and supervisor, and I offer a safe, confidential space where you can explore what’s on your mind and begin to heal, grow, and move forward.

Areas of Specialism

🌿 Bereavement Counselling

Grief can feel overwhelming, isolating, and unpredictable. I provide compassionate support to help you process your loss at your own pace. Whether your bereavement is recent or long-standing, we can work together to find meaning and resilience in the midst of sorrow.

🎓 University Students

University life can be exciting—but also stressful, confusing, and lonely. I work with students facing academic pressure, identity struggles, anxiety, and life transitions. Together, we’ll create a space where you can speak freely and find your footing.

👨 Men’s Issues

Men often face unique challenges around emotional expression, identity, relationships, and societal expectations. I offer a non-judgmental environment where you can explore these issues openly and authentically.

I also specialise in working with anxiety, low mood, depression and identity issues.

I provide counselling that is based on prioritising what you want. I start by offering an iniitial assessment appointment where I can learn more about you and what you are seeking from counselling. You will have the opportunity to ask me any questions you want about how I and the sessions work. The assessment gives us both the chance to think about whether we would like to work together.

I usually suggest an initial block of 6 sessions to begin the work and to see how we work together. If this goes well, then we will contract for ongoing sessions. I offer both brief and longer term therapy.

Currently I only offer online counselling. I hold a specific qualification in delivering online counselling. I offer weekly appointments, usually at the same time and day each week.

The first session is an assessment. You will have the opportunity to tell me about what concerns you have and what you would like help with. I will likely ask some questions to find out more about you, your background, history, family history, relationships, health and identity. 

We will aim to agree what you are seeking to achieve and what I can offer to check if this is a good fit. If I do not feel that I am the right therapist to help with your concerns, I will let you know and support you in accessing the right therapist. 

If we do agree to work together, I normally suggest we commence with an initial block of 6 sessions. But I'm willing to be flexible according to your needs.

I currently have availability on Friday daytime. I may have availability on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. 

I will be away for 2 weeks in September 2025, from 8th - 19th September. 

I have over 10 years’ clinical experience as a counsellor in the Higher Education sector and in private practice. Originally I qualified as an integrative counsellor from a Â鶹ԭ´´ accredited training at the Mary Ward Centre in 2012. In 2022 I completed additional training in online counselling using audio and webcam at OCST Online Counselling and Services Training. More recently, in 2025 I completed a diploma in integrative supervision of individuals and groups at the Grove Practice. I am an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (Â鶹ԭ´´) and a professional member (level 2) of the Association for Counselling and Therapy Online (ACTO).

As a counsellor, I work relationally and my work as a supervisor is similar in this regard. I work to support supervisees so that they can deliver the best possible therapeutic support to their clients. I feel it is essential to develop a good rapport and trust so that as a supervisee you can feel safe enough to disclose your authentic feelings about your client and your therapeutic work. I provide a supportive, encouraging and non-judgemental environment where we can explore conscious and unconsious material. In particular I make space to think through ethical dilemmas and concerns around difference and diversity. 

I'm an integrative, relational supervisor. I provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space to support you in your client work. I believe a good supervisor is the foundation to all clinical work. 

I specialise in clinical work in Higher Education and in private practice. 

Areas of specialism include bereavement, university / Higher education students and staff, men's issues, anxiety, low mood and depression, identity issues.

I encourage reflective, ethical practice and aim to support and challenge all of my supervisees to aid their development and growth. 

We may have a telephone call prior to the first supervision session (up to 20 minutes, free of charge.)

The first supervision meeting will be a chance to get to know each other, and an opportunity for me to learn more about your practice and client work. It's also an opportunity for you to ask questions and let me know what you are hoping to get out of supervision.