San Diego therapist for teens, adults, immigrants, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC

Hi! I'm Dave.

When it feels like every day brings more bad news, and you wonder how you're going to make it, that's your cue to GoSeeDave! I can help you become who you are. If don't know who (or what) that is, we'll figure it out together. GoSeeDave for a safe affirming space to discover your strengths, take stock of your values, face up to whatever's holding you back, and step into the best version of you.

Depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, relationship problems, career issues, addiction, can leave you feeling isolated, searching, and confused, but don't give up - GoSeeDave! We'll work together to rebuild your confidence, and get you back on the right track. You can do better than just survive. The ancestors are calling, and they say it's time to be who you are - with a little help from Dave.

So what's with the dog? That's Gumball. He's kind of my therapy dog in training who helps keep a calm vibe for our sessions sometimes, depending on his napping schedule.

Frequently asked questions

How long have you been a therapist?

I've been a California LPCC since 2020 and before that, from 2006-2014, I worked in the mental health field as a counselor, case manager, and addiction specialist on teams lead by licensed therapists. For specific details, you're welcome to check out a resume of my experience here.

Do you accept insurance?

As of 2025, I am not accepting insurance, however, I am able to provide a superbill that some clients submit to their insurance for reimbursement, depending on their specific policy.

How much does it cost?

My rate for a typical 45-minute session is $200 for Telehealth and office visits, however session type length can vary. Services provided at your home, school, or other location start at $300 for a 60 minute session.

What are you? I mean... can you tell me about your background?

The identities we hold can signal a lot about how we relate to world and to one another, so I tend to share generously about myself to facilitate a solid working alliance with my clients. I have ancestry from Mexico 🇲🇽, Sweden 🇸🇪, and Ireland 🇮🇪. I identify as a cisgender male (he/him/él), Catholic, a survivor of trauma, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. I'm a husband and adoptive father. Outside of work, my interests include music, home cooking, and standup comedy.

Why don't you accept insurance?

I really wish I could accept your insurance, believe me. Unfortunately, our health insurance system is in critical need of reform. Insurance carriers collude to keep provider reimbursements impossibly low, use administrative "red tape" tactics to avoid actually paying for the claims they are obligated to pay, and interfere with therapist/client treatment decisions by pressuring therapists to limit care or even end therapy prematurely. Here are some articles that provide more context:

Do you offer a free consultation?

Yes. This is offered as a free 15 minute phone call or video chat to determine whether I'm a good fit for you. If the consultation goes well and we agree to schedule an intake session, I'll send you an email with a link granting you access to the secure client portal. The portal will have forms to complete before our first session.

Do you offer discounts?

Yes. During our first session, ask about a 4, 8, or 12-session "pack." With a pack, you prepay for sessions depending on your treatment plan. You can save as much as 40% off the cost of individual sessions. Click here for a table of pack prices.

What therapy approaches and techniques do you use?

I use a holistic strengths-based approach, sometimes called "Adlerian," that emphasizes an individual's life purpose, social connections, and sense of belonging in therapy. For information on this theoretical orientation, you can check here.

Nearly all therapists educated and trained in the US use evidence-based techniques in therapy, that is methods that are clinically-proven to reduce mental health symptoms and promote optimal mental health well being. Depending on your specific needs and strengths, we will be using strategies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Existential Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered Therapy, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. For some clients, these talk therapy techniques will be combined with medication, including psychedelic medicines, for optimal effectiveness.

What about sliding scale?

I care about helping all my clients in the struggle to overcome adversity. Recognizing that I have benefitted from privileges that allowed me to navigate oppressive systems that left others behind, I set aside a limited number of slots in my caseload for clients on limited incomes. Clients who identify as immigrants, children of immigrants, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and/or survivors of trauma may qualify for sliding scale rates. Let's discuss sliding scale in our free consultation.

What is the Humanistic Center for Clinical Counseling?

Humanistic Center for Clinical Counseling is a group psychotherapy practice founded by my friend and respected colleague, Nicholas O'Madden. HCCC is the administrative entity that provides the telehealth platform, billing, payment processing, and electronic health record service for our work.

Do you work at Lyra Health?

Yes. I'm employed full time at Lyra. If you happen to work for an employer that offers free mental health benefits through Lyra Health (or you can access Lyra as a dependent), you may be able to request me on that platform. Lyra members can ask me to send you my Lyra Provider Link to get started.

Where are you located?

I'm based in San Diego, California. My office is in the North Park neighborhood.