Hello, and thank you for visiting.
I'm a licensed clinical social worker in California. I currently live in West Hollywood with my partner and dog. I provide mental health therapy to adults dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, OCD, and challenging life circumstances.
Here's a little bit about me. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. I received my bachelor's and master's degree in social work from Cleveland State University. Immediately after receiving my MSW, I moved to New Orleans, Louisiana with a wonderful friend of mine. This turned out to be one of the most important decisions of my life. While it was spontaneous and poorly planned, it greatly influenced my life as a psychotherapist.
When I moved to Louisiana in 2004, little did I know that Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were going to arrive the next year. Experiencing the Summer of 2005 was life changing. It taught me about privilege, trauma, bias, and human resilience. I wish Hurricane Katrina never happened, but I can't forget the lessons that I have learned.
In New Orleans, I worked at a small, private, non-profit organization that provides counseling services to those who would otherwise be unable to access. Family Service of Greater New Orleans holds a special place in my heart. While they are no longer in operation, the 10 years that I spent there are significant.
From New Orleans, my partner, myself, and my best friend (dog) Flo moved to New York City. What a change! While my partner, Daniel, completed his residency in internal medicine, I initially worked at an accreditation organization. I provided training on quality improvement and best practices for mental health organizations. After 2 1/2 years, I transitioned back to community organization work. As a Vice President at a large non-profit organization, I had the privilege to work with a committed group of Directors to provide services to those living with serious mental illness. Near the end of our time in Manhattan, my dog and best friend Flo, passed away in 2018 after 11 years of companionship.
Now, back in California...my partner, myself, and a new(er) family member (Pearl, a miniature Australian Shepherd) live in West Hollywood. We moved to LA in the summer of 2019 and are enthusiastic to call Los Angeles our home for the long-haul.
Here in Los Angeles, my partner provides primary medical care. Myself; I work full time in private practice. It is a solo practice - just me. I provide psychotherapy during regular business hours, some evenings, and some Saturdays.
My Approach to Treatment
I have experience in working with anxiety, depression, trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorders, adjustment, and other challenges. I use a variety of modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and person-centered treatment. Regardless of the modality, a strong therapeutic relationship is paramount to treatment. In addition to the treatment modalities listed above, my perspectives are heavily influenced by Buddhist philosophies and feminist theory.
David Haynik
Psychotherapist