David McAlinden (He/Him)
Pre-Licensed Professional, MACP Candidate, Yorkville University
Online in
Multiple Canadian Provinces
Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario
(Online Only)
I know reaching out for therapy can feel uncomfortable, especially if you’re used to carrying things on your own or trying to push through everything yourself. You might not even fully know how to explain what’s wrong yet, only that something feels heavy, overwhelming, or difficult to manage alone.
My approach is warm, calm, and non-judgmental. I want therapy to feel like a space where you can speak openly, slow things down, and feel genuinely heard without pressure to have everything figured out right away. Whether you’re dealing with stress, anxiety, life transitions, relationship challenges, or feeling stuck in ways that are leaving you emotionally drained, I aim to work alongside you at a pace that feels comfortable and meaningful for you.
Client Focus
Session Format: Couple, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Teen, Young Adult
Treatment Approach
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) One of the most widely used approaches, CBT helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and replace them with healthier patterns. It is effective for anxiety, depression, and many other concerns.
- Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
- Narrative Therapy Encourages people to view problems as separate from themselves and reframe their life story. It helps build resilience and self-identity.
- Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian) Emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and authenticity. It provides a safe space for self-discovery and growth.
- Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: I work mainly from a person-centred and humanistic therapeutic perspective. In practice, that means I focus on you and what matters to you, not on fitting you into a model. I also draw on narrative and solution-focused approaches to help you understand the patterns and pressures shaping your life and find realistic ways forward.
Some sessions are reflective and emotional. Others are practical, focused on coping, relationships, stress, or a transition you are navigating. I adapt to what is useful for you, at a pace that feels manageable. The goal is for therapy to feel human and genuinely worth your time.
The way I work is mainly influenced by person-centred and humanistic therapy, which means I focus on understanding your experiences, your perspective, and what feels meaningful to you as an individual. I’m also influenced by narrative and solution-focused approaches, helping clients better understand the patterns, stories, and pressures shaping their lives while exploring realistic ways forward that feel manageable and authentic.
Rather than following a rigid process, I try to adapt therapy to the person sitting in front of me. Some sessions may involve reflection and emotional exploration, while others may focus more on practical coping strategies, relationships, identity, stress, or navigating life transitions. My goal is for therapy to feel human, supportive, and genuinely useful to you.
Fees & Insurance
Fees
- Average Session Fee 30
- Accepts Insurance
Education & Credentials
David McAlinden MACP Candidate, Yorkville University
- Male
- License # S03055
- Licensed in British Columbia
- Practicing Since 2026
Education: I am currently completing a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology (MACP) at Yorkville University, and providing counselling services under clinical supervision as part of my practicum training.
David McAlinden Practice Details
Therapy Sessions
- Available Online for residents of Multiple Canadian Provinces Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario
A lot of people spend years being the person everyone else needs them to be while quietly struggling beneath the surface. From the outside, they look like they are coping. Inside, they feel exhausted, disconnected, and unsure who they are becoming. That is usually the space people are in when they reach out to me.
Therapy with me does not require the right words or a clear problem. Sometimes it starts with a specific issue. Sometimes it starts with the feeling that life as it is no longer feels sustainable. Either is a fine place to begin.
My own path, moving from England to British Columbia, raising a family across two cultures, and balancing work, study, and everything in between, shaped how I understand pressure, identity, and belonging. It is also why my approach is grounded in genuine conversation rather than clinical process.
I provide online counselling across British Columbia as an Associate Therapist under clinical supervision, while completing my MACP at Yorkville University. Sessions are $30. If this sounds like a fit, I offer a free 15-minute consultation.