About Me

My Philosophy

I like to consider people from the perspective of words and language. The stories that we tell ourselves and the ways we narrate our own lives can be incredibly liberating….or painfully constraining. We can all too easily find ourselves at the wrong end of punishing self-talk, and the words we use—whether spoken or thought—can have an extraordinary power over us. Left unchecked, the weight of all those self-imposed expectations can lead to a debilitating sense of distress.

However, these words and stories are also malleable: It is possible to change our story, adapt the rules, and be liberated by learning to change the way we judge and perceive ourselves.

My Approach

I come from a traditional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) background, enhancing this with elements of other more recent mindfulness-based approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). From the outset I can offer genuine curiosity, with no other agenda than to truly listen. This is your opportunity to be still, to sit and to relate your stories, so that eventually we can begin to shape them to make a brighter future. For this to happen you need to be heard, listened to, and understood.

Therapy is about showing you this possibility of hope, helping you find the ingredients for change, and then co-constructing a plan to help get you there.

My Motivation

My desire to make a meaningful contribution to the well-being of others, coupled with the experience of listening to and engaging with other people’s stories, are what allow for meaningful change to occur on both sides. The unique nature of each person’s therapeutic experience means there is always more to be learned, and the opportunities for growth really keep the experience alive.

My Qualifications

BA in Psychology Queens University Belfast 1994

PhD in Clinical Medicine Queens University Belfast 1997

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) Institute of Psychiatry (London) 2003

Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Institute of Psychiatry (London) 2005

Postgraduate Certificate in Family Therapy Institute of Psychiatry (London) 2009

Additional Training

Completion of Mindfulness Teacher Training Level One University of Bangor 2010

Compassion Focused Therapy Training Canterbury Christ Church University 2010

Professional Bodies

Chartered Clinical Psychologist The British Psychological Society (since 2003)

Practitioner Psychologist Health and Care Professions Council (since 2013)

Associate Fellow of the The British Psychological Society (since 2015)

Dr. David J Gracey

CHARTERED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST IN BALHAM, SOUTH WEST LONDON