Where are you located? Do you accept insurance? What are your credentials? What population do you work with, and which disorders do you primarily focus on?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and my main focus is working with teenagers and young adults struggling with anxiety & depression. I am located in Narberth, PA and I do not accept insurance.
What is your theoretical orientation? Why did you choose that orientation?
I find CBT to be the most commonly used modality that I use because it is very effective, but DBT is one that fascinates me and I use it as well.
What is a mental health “golden nugget” you can give over?
Healthy people go for help, unhealthy people do not.
What type of coffee do you enjoy best and how do you like your coffee? (If you don’t drink coffee that is fine too!)
Shoutout to all coffees in general as it’s the best-accepted addiction. If I had to choose one, I’d say cold brew is my current favorite. It’s so easy, and great in the summer for a cold drink.
Tell us about your practice/work! Do you work alone or are you a part of a group practice?
My practice fits the stereotype of mental health practitioner, with a couch (although nobody has fallen asleep on it yet), however much of my work is on telehealth as that is what works best for most of my current clients.
When/How did you first become interested in a career in Psychology/Therapy? If you have a specialty, what is it and why did you choose your specialty?
Easy one here. AP Psychology class in high school. Then once I started looking into the field more everything clicked. Side point – I took classes with Dave himself and that was a highlight of my training to become a therapist.
What aspects of your work do you enjoy most and why?
When a client shares something difficult with me and we sit there with their pain and they experience what it is like to have someone with them in their pain, not trying to solve the problem or judge them, just being a presence. I’ve been told how valuable it is, as when people open up to friends it usually helps, but the friend shares their opinion. People that have experienced trauma don’t usually need another opinion.
What do you do for self-care?
Not taking it home with me, creating a space in my brain dedicated to each of the roles I play in my life. That and regular stuff like biking, hockey, and time with family.
Do you have any blog/podcast/other media people can follow?
Even though the answer is no, I am going to respond to this question specifically as I think it is a good one. For whatever reason (perhaps you can help unearth) some therapists enjoy discussing their interventions and ideas on a more theoretical level where there is no client sitting with them (podcast, social media, etc..) however that method doesn’t work well for me.
Do you have any book recommendations?
Such a classic, but there is a reason for that, the book:
“The Gift of Therapy” by Irving Yalom
Laypeople and therapists can really enjoy this amazing work!
You can connect with Eli here:
Web – myspottherapy.com
Email – elipress@myspottherapy.com
Phone – 484-278-1001
ASK YOUR QUESTION TO DAVE:
