My name is David Berk, LCSW. My approach to therapy is relationship and strength-based while maintaining the person-centered theme throughout the interaction with the person. While there are many approaches to the therapy process, I attempt to utilize approaches that appropriately apply to the particular case/person/couple situation, as one approach or problem-solving method does not apply to everyone.

My approach

I really focus on maintaining the Person-Centered approach theme throughout the therapist-client relationship. As I found it to be very effective and allow for additions, such as CBT, DBT, and systems theory tools to utilize as well, without losing the foundation or root approach of Person-Centered therapy.

My focus

In my time practicing in the field of therapy and/or social work, I have experienced and comfortable with severe Psychiatric conditions (anxiety, depression, bipolar) and management, behavior problems, (Anger, aggression, opposition) family problems, parent-child problems, life transition, break-ups, divorce, and human social interactions.

My communication style

My goal is to provide a stress-free and non-judgemental environment. I definitely understand this can be easier said than done, but nonetheless, this is the goal. In addition, this is a collaboration, client-therapist relationship, and the environment/tone can be created together.

My journey to therapy

I don't believe my journey into the field of therapy and/or social work is any much different than others. I, as many people in the world, have gone through hardships and various struggles that took a tremendous amount of effort and support to work through. This of course led me into learning more about the helping field of social work and therapy, and asking myself, "Can I maybe offer something here?" And as I continued to look into this field more and more, I realized what it can offer people, and wanted to be part of that process if I could. Thank you for your time, sincerely David

My goals for you

I usually addressed goal setting similar to treatment planning: Identify the reason for therapy (which sometimes is not so straightforward or easy). Identify strengths, barriers, and challenges. Then identify the goal, which will usually have objectives to help achieve the goal. This is followed by identifying interventions, tools, and resources needed to utilize in hopefully achieving the goal. It is important to recognize, that goal setting can often be modified and changed accordingly to meet one's needs at the time.

My first session with you

Well, for the first session, one can expect to hear and learn of the confidentiality laws, mandated reporting laws, and boundaries and limits of the client-therapist relationship. But most importantly, one can expect to just talk some, if feeling comfortable, be free to ask questions, and hopefully identify the purpose for seeing a therapist.