Since childhood, David has been fascinated with understanding how things work. He was naturally drawn to science, and after studying zoology as an undergraduate, decided to become a dentist.

After nearly 20 years of dentistry practice, a personal crisis led David to embark on a new journey. His desire to understand how things worked expanded to include the realm of the emotions, the realm of the heart. He began to wonder, “Why do we behave the way we behave?” In seeking the answer to this question, David made a vocational change.  Now interested in the sources of emotional pain and the methods for healing it, he became a psychotherapist.

As a counselor, David is interested in the science of the heart. He helps clients find emotional healing by first helping them understand how they are made as humans.  Central to his approach is Internal Family Systems (IFS), a very gentle, non-pathologizing and supportive process to resolve inner and outer conflicts. Clarity and perspective is brought to tangled, overwhelming emotions with David’s use of Emotional Stewardship.  In-depth experience and understanding of the 12 Step recovery model aids David in treating addictions of all kinds, substance and/or behavioral.  When working with clients with addictions, David explains the physiology of addiction, bringing objectivity and understanding to the complex nature of the problem. David is gifted in cutting quickly and gently to the heart of the matter, bringing hope and healing.  With these and other methods, David helps people find a way forward through pain and addiction, toward emotional and spiritual awareness and, ultimately, the ability to live a full, authentic life.

David primarily works with individuals or couples struggling with addictions, life trauma or marriage and family problems. He is licensed by the state of Tennessee in Marriage and Family Therapy. He is IFS Level 2 trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Level 2 EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitivity and Reprocessing) trained to resolve trauma and anxiety. In addition to his private practice, David has acquired extensive experience in the field of addictions working in various roles at the nationally renowned Cumberland Heights (CH) Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center.  David has served adult men and women, male adolescents and families whose lives has been affected by the disease of addiction.  David’s roles included Primary Therapist both in the 28-day Family Program and the Intensive Outpatient Program.  David was instrumental in the development and launching of the Extended Care Professional Program at CH.

David served as the Director of the Marriage & Family Program at The Center for Professional Excellence (CPE) in Nashville, TN, a 90-day inpatient treatment facility for impaired male professionals.  David’s focus at CPE included working with the men individually and with their spouses around issues that addiction brings to a marriage.

David served three years active duty in the US Navy, and seven years in the US Naval Active Reserves as a Dental Officer.

 

Areas of Specialization

Marriage and Family                Anxiety/Depression

Addictions                                Anger/Rage

Individual Psychotherapy         Career Changes

Life Trauma                              Life Transitions

Affair Recovery                         Stress Management

 

Seminar/Workshop Topics

Emotional Stewardship

The Physiology of Addiction

Shame Recovery

 

Education

Bachelor of Science, University of Tennessee (Memphis)

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), University of Tennessee (Memphis)

Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT), Trevecca Nazarene University

 

Professional Licensures/Certifications

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Tennessee

Internal Family Systems (IFS) – Level 2 trained therapist

EMDR Level 2

 

Memberships

American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)

Tennessee Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (TAMFT)

Nashville Area Association of Christian Counselors (NAACC)

 

 

"The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change." ~ Carl Rogers, psychologist (1902-1987)