Hi there, I’m David! I am a Settler from the territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation of the Anishinaabek Peoples, and today gratefully acknowledge my living in the unceded territory of the Coast Salish Peoples.
I provide counselling and psychotherapy with a focus on clinical and social care. Since 2014 I have been privileged to sit and talk with thousands of people, and to accompany them for at least a short distance in their journey. I view these expeditions as essential not just for our individual happiness and well-being, but also for our movement toward a world that is more kind, just, and humane for all.
Prior to private practice I spent fifteen years in the public and non-profit sectors, starting out in frontline care and legal advocacy, before arriving in the field of counselling. Most recently I served for five years as Clinical Lead of BC’s largest mental health and addictions treatment centre, where I led a team of nurses, doctors, counsellors and caseworkers in delivering comprehensive mental healthcare services.
Outside the office I spend my time restoring old furniture, and exploring the hidden geographies of the west coast with Otis, my canine companion.
I believe that we are all inherently capable of achieving wellness. When we encounter problems with our wellness, this is because we face obstacles — internally or externally — which interfere with our natural self-righting processes. I thus see my work as helping you to identify and resolve these obstacles.
My approach can be practical and goal-oriented, or exploratory and supportive. Either way, my emphasis is on helping you realize your vision of a happy, well-crafted life. This looks different for everyone, but people who work with me are usually pursuing one or more of these forms of change or growth:
Whatever you’re looking for, I encourage you to reach out to share a consultation with me. We’ll talk about what you’re specifically looking to accomplish, and I’ll share with you ideas to help you arrive there.
Master of Social Work
University of British Columbia
Social Work and Social Development
University of Waterloo
Baccalaureate of Arts
University of Guelph
Registered Social Worker
British Columbia College of Social Workers & Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Registered Clinical Counsellor
BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy
Dr Diana Fosha, AEDP Institute
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Praxis CET
Addiction Medicine Diploma
University of British Columbia + BC Centre on Substance Use
Cognitive Behavioural Conjoint Therapy for PTSD
Dr Candice Monson / Atlas Institute
Cognitive Processing Therapy
Vancouver Coastal Health
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Skills
Behavioral Tech x Psychwire
Dynamic Attachment Repatterning Experience
Dr Diane Poole Heller
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
Sue Genest MSc RCC CCC
Internal Family Systems – Level 1
Internal Family Systems Institute
Narrative Therapy
Vancouver School for Narrative Therapy
Neuroscience and the Satir Model in the Sand Tray
Dr Madeleine de Little
Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy
Therapsil Canada
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Canadian Mental Health Association
Emerging Respiratory Viruses, Including Covid-19: Methods for Detection, Prevention, Response and Control
World Health Organization
Indigenous Awareness Certification
Indigenous Awareness Canada
Integrated Trauma Therapy: Incorporating IFS with EMDR, SP, CPT, AEDP, DBT, and Psychedelic Medicines for Treating Complex Trauma and PTSD
Internal Family Systems Institute
Mental Health First Aid Instructor Training
Mental Health Commission of Canada
Naloxone Administration
Fraser Health Authority
Overdose Prevention, Recognition and Response
Fraser Health Authority
Psychotherapy and the Highly Sensitive Person
Dr Elaine Aron
San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
BC Provincial Health Services Authority
Trauma-Informed Support Skills
Canadian Mental Health Association
Understanding Emergency Worker Trauma + Understanding Firefighter Culture and Trauma
First Responder Health
Providing integrative counselling and psychotherapy services throughout British Columbia and Ontario, Canada. My home and work are located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations.