David Lean opens new counselling business "Lean My Way"

10 years after disclosure a survivor of abuse within football, qualifies to help others.

David Lean finally received the news he had been waiting for, when it was confirmed that he had qualified as a person centred counsellor, after completing over four years of training.

David stated, “it has been a long, emotional, and difficult, yet positive experience” as he now reflects on his own personal growth throughout this journey”.

David went on to say, “The idea of becoming a counsellor grew after starting counselling sessions myself, after my own disclosure of sexual abuse at the hands of football coach Barry Bennell to police on February 4th 2013, almost exactly 10 years ago.

It was my first experience of counselling and I had an extremely positive experience overall, although I felt somewhere inside that I needed more from my experience. It had provided me with an opportunity to feel safe, not judged and importantly the opportunity to talk, without fear, embarrassment or opinions, allowing me the space to reflect on my thoughts, emotions and feelings.

David told us, “I was so angry and frustrated at myself, my offender, and also at the criminal justice system which had initially failed to charge my offender, as the Criminal Prosecution Service deemed it, Not in the public Interest, to prosecute my Bennell, who we now know abused at least 100 more boys, which resulted in him being convicted for an additional 30 plus years.”

David is now developing his own private counselling practice, and after completing many years of campaigning to raise awareness of child abuse, David told us, “ it’s now time to move on and help support in other ways, so “Lean My Way”, person centred counselling services, for adults over 18 years, will open on February 6th “

As a registered member of the British Association for counselling and Psychotherapy, David told us, “I am excited about the future, prepared and focussed to help others, it’s been an incredible journey and I would like to thank my wife Teresa for all her support as always during the last four years, as my development and change has certainly not always been easy.

David will be operating from locations in both Lytham St.Annes, and Preston, for further information please contact him directly at “Lean My Way”, via email at leanmywaypccounselling@gmail.com For further details & information please find me on the BACP Counsellors register.

You can hear the full, extended interview with David Lean below.