Close-up of a smiling middle-aged man with a bald head and gray beard, wearing a striped shirt, against a dark blue background.

Meet David Polak M.A

I am a qualified psychoanalyst and consultant psychotherapist, practising for over twenty years, based in West London, offering confidential therapy for adults, professionals, athletes and individuals working within high-performance environments, including football and professional sport.

My practice provides a calm and reflective space to explore emotional difficulties, relationship patterns, anxiety, stress, identity, confidence and the pressures that can come with both personal and professional life.

Alongside general psychotherapy and psychoanalysis, I have a particular interest in working with individuals involved in elite performance environments, including football, sport and competitive industries where pressure, expectation and performance can significantly affect emotional wellbeing.

My Background

I am a registered member of the British Psychoanalytic Council, the British Psychoanalytic Association and the International Psychoanalytical Association.

I am also a UEFA B qualified football coach currently working in the youth game.

My work draws on psychoanalytic thinking, which focuses on understanding the deeper psychological and emotional processes that shape thoughts, behaviour, relationships and patterns of experience.

20 +

Years

Experience

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Logo of the International Psychoanalytical Association with two classical-style figures and the organization's name.
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UEFA COACH

A certificate or diploma titled 'UEFA B Diploma' with logos for England Football and UEFA, on a blue background with red geometric accents.

Sports

Professional sport can place unique psychological demands on individuals. Issues around identity, injury, confidence, performance anxiety, transitions, pressure and relationships often extend far beyond the pitch or training environment.

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My Approach

A navy blue armchair with wooden legs, featuring a circular logo of a human head with a headset and a soccer ball inside the head.

Therapy is not about quick fixes or surface-level advice. It is a collaborative process that allows space to think more deeply about emotional experiences and patterns that may otherwise remain difficult to understand.

  • We begin with an initial consultation to explore what has brought you to therapy, any current difficulties you may be experiencing, and what you are hoping to gain from the process. This is also an opportunity to ask questions and get a sense of whether the approach feels right for you.

  • Therapy provides a private and reflective environment where you can speak openly without pressure or judgement. Sessions are approached with sensitivity, discretion and care, creating space to think more freely about difficult emotions, experiences and patterns.

  • Together, we explore the underlying emotional processes connected to relationships, identity, anxiety, stress, performance pressure or recurring difficulties. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, psychoanalytic therapy aims to understand the deeper experiences shaping your emotional life.

  • Over time, therapy can help develop stronger self-awareness, emotional clarity and insight into recurring patterns that may affect wellbeing, relationships, confidence or performance — both personally and professionally.

  • The therapeutic process can support lasting emotional change, helping you feel more grounded, resilient and connected to yourself and others. For individuals in demanding environments such as football, sport or high-performance professions, therapy can also provide space away from constant expectation and pressure.

Areas Covered

Available for in-person and online consultations

Maida Vale

Notting Hill

St John’s Wood

Paddington

Little Venice

Kensington

London

Hammersmith

White City

Chiswick

Richmond

Maida Vale Notting Hill St John’s Wood Paddington Little Venice Kensington London Hammersmith White City Chiswick Richmond