Adults Therapists in Chattanooga, TN

​Although I am a sole practitioner, I refer to my counseling practice as “our practice.” I do this because the time you spend with me belongs to you. We will work together to help you ​achieve success through the goals that we will set at the beginning of our time together. ​ I want to join my clients on their life journey and help them better understand how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are connected. My training as a therapist is empirically based and I am also a believer in Jesus Christ and my faith influences my work with clients.

Good therapy helps promote clarity and progress toward change. I believe that therapy can provide the safety needed for self-exploration and for support in times of stress. And I believe that this safety is created through a trusting therapeutic alliance, which I rely heavily on in my practice. As a clinical social worker, I provide psychotherapy to children, adolescents, and adults who have a broad range of reasons for seeking therapy - these may include anxiety, depression, family conflict, low self-esteem, relationship struggles, parenting concerns, trauma, and loss.

Although I primarily work with children (ages 8+), adolescents, and young adults , I enjoy working with people across the lifespan as they navigate through life's challenges. I see clients for a variety of issues such as anxiety, depression, school/behavior issues, grief/loss, self-esteem, shame/guilt, and trauma. My clients are looking for positive change in their lives and are ready to explore, grow, and challenge themselves.

Hello! My name is David S. Cavin, I have over 30 yrs experience working with individuals, couples and families, age group 12 thru senior adults . I believe it is a sign of strength, not weakness, to ask for help. If you need help working through mental, emotional or spiritual problems please call for an appointment. I usually am able to see you within 3 days from the time you call. FEE is $100. for a 50 min session. I will consider a sliding scale in case of financial hardship. I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. WORK EXPERIENCE: Director Family Life Center Fort Sill,Ok, Director Family Life Center Fort Ord, Ca. Taught Psychology Chattanooga State, Taught Sociology UT Chattanooga, Director Agape Counseling Service,Counselor Alcohol and Drug Unit Valley Psychiatric Hospital,Counselor Adolescent Unit Greenleaf Psychiatric Hospital, Counselor CBI/PSI, Counselor City Church/Transformation Center. EDUCATION: MA, Azusa Pacific U., MS, Long Island U. MDiv, Duke University DMin, San Francisco Theological Seminary

I enjoy helping people build resilience, hope, and courage in their lives. I work with adults and teenagers who are seeking to improve their emotional intelligence, responses to stress, and ways of working through life's challenges. I particularly enjoy working with athletes who are looking to improve their performance, as well as people who consider themselves to be "workaholics". Improving our mental health directly affects our performance, whether we are on the sports field, in the gym, at home, or our workplace.

You are struggling to reconcile your past with who you are today. An unaddressed traumatic event. A childhood you wish you could change. A parent whose actions you don't understand. Shame is beginning to control you, and the reality of your past is impacting your relationships and quality of life today. You aren’t confident that therapy could help, but at this point you're willing to try anything. You are deserving of the time and energy it takes to heal. As your therapist, I hope to help you hold in tension the reality of your past, while encouraging you to find hope for your future.

The therapeutic relationship is of utmost importance to me. I use a solution-focused, strengths-based approach. I believe you are the expert of your own life and my role is to hold space for you, with your own unique background, strengths, needs, and goals - creating an environment in which you can feel safe, heard, and understood. I seek to assist you in achieving insight and growth and to facilitate the discovery of your strengths. I tailor my use of interventions and theories to every individual client. Diversity is celebrated among all of the counselors at Journey Mental Health, and we do not pathologize

I've spent the past 6+ years working with children, adolescents, adults , and families on a wide array of issues, including: trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, ODD, relational issues, academic problems, spirituality, sexual addiction, sexual identity, grief and loss. I tend to practice from a relational perspective, believing that true healing comes from genuine relationship and accountability with one another. I particularly enjoy working with people who have difficulty connecting with those around them and who are typically viewed as the outcasts or troublemakers. I also specialize in male sex addiction and lead a weekly group.

I work with children, adolescents, and young adults . It is my goal to help these individuals work through struggles with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and trauma at their own pace. I have a passion for helping children and their parents work towards their goals and process complex or secondary trauma. I also enjoy working with parents (biological, foster, adoptive) who want to better their relationship, communication, understanding, and/or attachment with their children. I work diligently to maintain a safe and affirming space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their families.

Thank you for reading my profile. It can be hard to ask for help. Over many years in practice I have studied many different theories and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy, so hopefully I can find ideas and tools to help you with whatever issues you bring. I do not claim to be the best therapist for everyone but I will do my best.

I believe therapy should be a place for growth and healing. As a clinician, I understand it is difficult to take the first steps of going to therapy and opening up to someone about your life or retelling your story after many attempts in therapy. My aim is to provide a safe place where you feel comfortable and accepted to allow space for vulnerability and change. I am passionate about working with adolescents and young adults on healing old wounds and moving forward with a healthy life.

I believe the foundation for a good therapeutic environment is to establish a solid interpersonal relationship with clients. I consider myself empathetic and approachable and have a desire to create a safe place for individuals to process and find healing. I believe in creating an atmosphere in which individuals feel comfortable sharing without a fear of judgement in order to work through the root of the issue, instill confidence, and hope for their future.

"People Start To Heal The Moment They Are Heard." - Cheryl Richardson. The chapters of your past do not have to dictate who you want to be. Recovery is determined by choosing not to stay where you are. It's my desire to help you start writing the next chapters of your life. I find joy when others find hope.

I have been in the practice of Social Work many years. I have a thirst for learning and I greet change with open arms. I completed my training as a nurse at age 55 and have incorporated my nursing skills with my years of Social Work training and experience. During this time I have learned that all people have their answers inside and my job is to help them recognize and build on those answers. Having experienced many situations in my own life I’ve learned to persist and sometimes back up and regroup. I have a lot of joy in my life and hope to help you find yours. I offer animal assisted therapy with Teddy, 5 yo Wheaten Terrier.

Walking through life feeling weighed down by your current life circumstances can be overwhelming and is not sustainable long term. Therapy can provide healing and relief for the many challenges we face daily. I work closely with teens, young adults , and adult women who are struggling with anxiety, depression, and other concerns.