David Bridges
Registered Clinical Counsellor, Director, Norwest
Couples, Clinical Supervision, Trauma
20+ years exp.
M Counselling, Grad Cert Emotionally Focused Therapy, B Counselling, B Sc
Over 28 years, David has passionately supported couples working through complex or abusive histories. He empowers individuals and couples to process life’s challenges by carefully unpacking emotions and trauma within a safe therapeutic space. For over 15 years, David has specialised in ministry and clinical supervision, and issues around sexuality.
Areas of Counselling Practice
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Couples therapy
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Complex couples – abusive histories
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Men’s issues in relationships
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Trust issues, affairs and betrayal
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Anger management in relationships
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Sexuality and gender issues
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Clinical supervision
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Ministry supervision
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Trauma-informed therapy
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Mental health, anxiety, depression
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Emotional, physical and sexual abuse
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Coercive control and DV
- Clinical supervision for students and counselling professionals
- Consultation, supervision, support and accountability for Christian leaders
- Consultation for running your own counselling or psychology practice
- Pre-marital preparation & counselling (Prepare/Enrich)
- Same-sex attraction
- Transgender issues and gender dysphoria
- Career counselling, life coaching, workplace issues
- Grief and loss
Professional Experience
David brings a calm, purposeful and compassionate client-focused approach to his work.
His main theoretical training over many years is in Emotionally Focused Therapy. David’s early training was in various family systemic models including the Bowen model, and Gottman. He applies a wide range of modalities, such as CBT, DBT and trauma-informed, when helpful. More recently, he has integrated many elements of Internal Family Systems into his eclectic and creative approach with clients.
David invested his early years as an individual and couples therapist with Relationships Australia, Baptist LifeCare and Hillsong. In 2008, he pioneered Bridges Counselling with a handful of other colleagues also launching into private practice.
Through his career, his passion has been to apply biblical themes and lenses in understanding the practice of therapy and psychology. He is a keen follower of the work of scholars in developing a Christian worldview that makes professional practice more attuned to the needs of diverse clients.
David has provided extensive clinical and pastoral supervision, both individually and in groups, for over 15 years. David has served on several leadership teams in churches and understands well the dynamics and workings of local churches.
He has provided leadership on boards of the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA) for over 10 years and has assisted as a part-time adjunct staff member at Excelsia and Hillsong colleges.
Counselling Style
- Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples and Individuals
- Trauma-informed Therapy
- Systemic Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Professional Memberships
- PACFA – Registered Clinical Counsellor and Accredited Supervisor
- CCAA – Registered Clinical Counsellor and Accredited Supervisor
