- 16 years experience
- ACA counsellor
- Relationship focus
About David
David Chittenden is an ACA counsellor with 16 years of professional experience. He focuses on practical support for people dealing with stress, anxiety and relationship strain. He offers calm, straight talk and tailors sessions to each person's needs.
David helps people who are coping with major life changes, grief, low self-esteem and career pressure. He also works with intimacy and sexual culture concerns, including BDSM and kink, and with those navigating blended family or fatherhood issues. He raises difficult topics in a direct but respectful way.
His background includes work with people living with chronic pain, illness and disability, and with clients facing trauma, dissociation and co-morbidity. David uses a mix of approaches to suit the issue at hand rather than a single method. He frames conversations so people can try small changes between sessions.
In sessions he uses listening, practical tools and structured conversation to build coping skills. Where useful he brings in cognitive strategies, reflective work and relationship-focused techniques. He keeps language simple and focuses on actions people can try right away.
David invites people to start by describing what matters most to them and what they hope to change. He will then work with each person to agree on goals and a flexible plan. Taking that first step is often the hardest part, and he aims to make the process straightforward and supportive.
How his approaches translate to online therapy
David commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Existential Therapy in sessions. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and trying practical changes in behaviour, which can help with anxiety, low mood and stress. Existential Therapy looks at meaning, choice and values, helping people clarify what matters when life feels uncertain or overwhelming.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. He will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most useful, then adapt methods so they match each person's situation. That collaborative step makes it easier to try strategies between sessions and check what is working.
If you are considering online work, confirm the current session formats before booking. Online options can make it simpler to fit sessions into busy days, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Talk with him about how to schedule sessions so they suit your routine and needs.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Credentials
Listed on profile
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does David commonly help with?
He helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, as well as grief, trauma and self-esteem struggles.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses straightforward listening, practical tools and structured conversation to build coping skills and clarify goals.
How much experience does he have?
He has 16 years of professional experience working with a wide range of concerns and life changes.
What credential does he hold and where is he based?
He is an ACA counsellor based in Australia.
Which languages does he use in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can I work with him from another country?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.