David Nightingale
Counsellor
Nightingale Counselling
West End, Brisbane QLD 4101
In Person + Online Therapy Australia-wide
Philosophy & Vision
I offer counselling to support you in finding peace, healing, confidence and purpose in your journey towards emotional wellness. I support clients in working through issues such as depression, anxiety, grief and loss, anger, communication, co-dependency, inferiority and relationships. While offering general counselling to all, I also offer specialised counselling for men in addictive behaviours and relationship issues, and adolescents and children in grief and loss, self image, emotional regulation, school issues and social skills. As a Christian counsellor, I can support clients who desire therapy tailored to their spiritual and religious beliefs.
Background
I am a registered counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association and studied counselling through the Australian Institute of Family Counselling. I have five years seminary formation and overall grade of high distinction in Bachelor of Theology and Master of Theological Studies. I have four years experience in university chaplaincy, and three and a half years experience as a school chaplain. I have experience in young adult ministry, youth ministry, children's ministry and pastoral care to elderly.
Services
Areas of Special Interest
Accreditations
- Diploma of Counselling - AIFC
- Bachelor of Theology - ACU
- Master of Theological Studies - ACU
Modalities
CBT - Christian Counselling - Compassion-Focused Therapy - Holistic - Meditation - Mindfulness - Person Centred
Therapy Approach
At the foundation of my approach to counselling is the Christian principle of the inherent dignity of every human person made in the imago Dei, no matter their past mistakes. As such, I offer counselling that is person centred and compassion-focused. My holistic approach also views each person as an integrated being composed of both soul and body, and so encourages the client to consider the biological, psychological, emotional and social factors that may be contributing to the issues they are experiencing. I recognise the significant way that our thoughts and beliefs can influence our behaviours and emotions and so am a big believer in the value of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Professional Associations
- Australian Counselling Association
Practice Locations
47 Dornoch Terrace
West End QLD 4101
Appointments
I currently have availability for in person counselling sessions on Fridays during working hours and for online consultations on most weeknights. Please email me to make an enquiry or booking.
Fees & Insurance
$95 for one-hour session.
Available for a free 15 minute online meet and greet in the week prior to first session.
Payment Options
Bank Transfer
Contact David
Please contact me to make an appointment
A conversation with David Nightingale
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I have always enjoyed deeper one-on-one conversations with people of all ages. As a child I was always drawn to help those experiencing isolation and rejection. Later in life I was struck by a quote from one of my lecturers: "Humans can endure suffering much better than they can endure indifference." My decision to embark in counselling was due to the realisation that we can help others immensely by our listening, presence and solidarity with them.
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The foundation of my therapy is the Catholic belief in the inherent dignity of the human person. As such, I believe each person is unique, valuable and important, no matter the mistakes they have made. I believe that the human person consists of soul (spirit) and body and so my approach to counselling considers the person holistically, looking at the biological, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual (if the client is willing) dimensions.
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I am interested in helping others find peace. While I love to help all people in counselling, I am also interested in helping men find freedom from their addictions, and in helping children and youth in their self-image, overcoming bullying and rejection and in their skills in relating to others.
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I use a person centred and holistic approach to therapy and am a big believer in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as it helped me find peace from anxiety in early life.
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Simply by taking the first step and approaching a counsellor, a client is making amazing progress by being proactive! Sometimes though, due to high self standards (that they often only apply to themselves and not others) it can be hard for clients to recognise their own progress. I'm there to help them appreciate their wins and achievements. In addition, some qualitative tools can be used to help clients objectively monitor their own progress.
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Therapy has helped me to identify unresolved hurts or experiences from my past and feel safe and supported to start to unpack and intentionally address areas which may be holding me back or are in need of healing.
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It is an absolute privilege to journey with a client to help them realise peace and healing in areas of their life that they have previously struggled. I love to listen and so find counselling a natural fit!
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Definitely bad hair days when I'm in need of a haircut and believe it or not, "bad beard" days too!
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The amount of "noise" in our world today, whether auditory, visual, or simply information overload or busyness can prevent us from necessary self-reflection and self-knowledge.
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Apart from the Bible, the works of Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Josef Pieper and Joseph Ratzinger. I'm inspired by the life of St Francis of Assisi, St Theresa of Calcutta and St Charles de Foucauld.