Meet the Practitioners: David McKay

David McKay

When did you start at NBP? What were you doing before that?

I started in March 2021. Before joining NBP, I was working in roofing and studying psychology. I had a good mix of being physical in the sun and sitting down in the aircon! I managed to brag about both to those stuck doing one.  Running my own roofing business taught me a lot about dealing with people and conflict resolution.

Why did you get into psychology/therapy in the first place?

I was told that I was a listener in a world of talkers. I had always thought I would follow a career with more numbers than people, but looking into Psychology I found something I was passionate about and genuinely interested in. 

What would you have done if you didn’t become a psychologist/therapist?

Any other career where I get to hear people’s stories. Or perhaps I would have moved from job to job if I kept getting fired for distracting others! 

What do you like best about your job?

Hearing people’s stories, experiences, and perspectives. People are so interesting!

Which are your favourite therapies to draw from and why?

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), because it helps you to drop the struggle with things you can’t control and redirect that effort into the things you value. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), because it acts as a microscope for you to inspect your thoughts and behaviours in a way that we don’t usually get a chance to. This creates understanding and highlights where you can make effective changes in your life. 

What activities do you enjoy outside work?

Attending live music gigs, drag shows, and comedy nights. I also enjoy working on old cars and going camping (and hopefully make it home in one piece). I switch between playing video games and practicing calisthenics to keep fit. 

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