David Affolter, LMHC, LPCC
Stress, Anxiety
Trauma and abuse
Self esteem
Depression
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About me
Hello! I’m David Affolter,
I have been helping people most of my adult life. It just seems that has been a major motivation for me. After college and service in the Air Force, I really was confronted with the reality that I needed to choose a direction in life. I made a decision that it had to be something that would bring me lasting satisfaction. I would feel good about myself. I became a high school teacher and coach, and I loved doing that for almost twenty years. I experienced the joy of seeing young people do things they thought they couldn’t ever do. In my teaching, I always seemed to be drawn to the students who seemed like they were struggling to find their way. Students came to me for someone to listen to them and help them find their way. I have the joy today of keeping in touch via social media, and I watching as they grow their own families and follow their own path.
After those teaching years and my own daughters moved on to college and adult life, I felt the urge to keep helping people, but I felt moved to go into counseling. With the support of my wife, I completed a graduate/professional degree in Community Counseling at The University of Akron in 1994 and became a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio and am also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida. It really was a smooth transition, and I have learned that a significant part of counseling is giving people new information and perspectives and helping them decide where they want to go and how to get there. I have continued now for over twenty years in helping people deal with a variety of problems in their lives, and the large majority are able to feel good about themselves and able to move in the direction they choose. I have learned how life has wounded people and how to help them heal from those wounds. I have seen people who thought their lives were over but have learned in therapy how to build new ways of being and living that lead them to new destinations—destinations that many never thought they would arrive at in the beginning. I know when I reflect on my own journey over the past fifty years or so, I am amazed at the variety of things life has brought my way, and the lessons I have learned along the way. It is a very humbling experience watching people gain the courage to change and move forward in ways they never believed they could. If this kind of experience is something that you believe would be helpful to you, then you are in the right place. I can join you on your journey and help you find your way to your new destination—a new way of looking at yourself, a new career path, finding new friends, or finding a new spirituality to give new meaning and purpose to your life. I look forward to assisting you on your journey to your new destination!
Professional experience
25yrs in practice
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Communication Problems, Control Issues, Emptiness, Forgiveness, Guilt and Shame, Life Purpose, Men's Issues, Midlife Crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Mood Disorders, Panic Disorder and Panic Attacks, Post-traumatic Stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Social Anxiety and Phobia, Workplace Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
License information
FL LMHC MH6268
OH LPCC E.2102075
Reviews
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for David Affolter. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
David is a great therapist, and an all around great guy. He taught me methods that I use on a daily basis, and was available to help me anytime I needed. One of the best out there, and I would recommend David to anyone!
Written on Feb 05, 2023 after therapy with David for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and trauma and abuse
David has always been my #1 supporter. Even when everything felt lost, David was there to sit with me and help me work my own way through it.
It's been quite the journey over the past couple of years, and it's time for the next stage in my adventure. David is patient, kind, with a great sense of humour. He is full of wisdom and encouragement and not afraid to make me challenge my own thoughts in a considerate and careful way.
Thanks David for being a part of this journey, I hope many others will get to experience David's companionship on their own paths.
Written on Feb 02, 2023 after therapy with David for 1 year and 8 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, and self esteem
I’ve had multiple therapists & psych doctors over the years bcs of my own extensive history of mental health Dx & struggles, and I can confidently say David is the best therapist I’ve ever had. He is extremely adept at active & empathic listening, and gives incredibly helpful insights and resources to help me get through any crisis or rough patch I’m experiencing. I’ve only had a handful of sessions so far, but I can adamantly say his advice is already invaluable to me! :)
Written on Jan 05, 2023 after therapy with David for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion
David has helped me reduce stress and anxiety.
Written on Dec 30, 2022 after therapy with David for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, and career difficulties
David has been a tremendous help in assisting me with learning how to set boundaries, gaining control over my thoughts, and learning how to develop healthy habits to allow myself to be more calm. This has helped my mental health as well as my physical health with fibromyalgia.
Written on Dec 27, 2022 after therapy with David for 9 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, career difficulties, coaching, and compassion fatigue
David Affolter has been really helpful for me when working through my anxiety issues. Both from regular, responsive communication, and with helpful resources. He has given me a lot of tools that I implemented in my daily life to help keep my stress and anxiety in check. Regular check ins have also helped reinforce inbetween our sessions.
Written on Nov 11, 2022 after therapy with David for 6 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, and intimacy-related issues