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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
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
David is incredible!
Written on Nov 05, 2022 after therapy with David for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
David is a wise and insightful therapist. He has been crucial to my recovery and success in life.
Written on Oct 29, 2022 after therapy with David for 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, depression, self esteem, relationship issues, family conflicts, coping with life changes, and anger management
After just my first video session with David I was filled with such hope. I knew then like I know now that I am going to make it through this hard time in my life. I'm already beyond grateful for David coming into my life and supporting me through this. I could not ask for a better mentor. Thank you, David. I am a good person and I will prevail.
Written on Oct 03, 2022 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and self esteem
David is an extremely good therapist. He's an incredible listener and responder. We connect on a lot of different things and I really appreciate that. I would recommend him to anyone who needs therapy.
Written on Sep 14, 2022 after therapy with David for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, and career difficulties
David is a top class therapist. His advice has already begun to shift my life back into gear. I look forward to our weekly sessions.
Written on Sep 12, 2022 after therapy with David for 3 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and adhd
David is great and listens with patience.
Written on Aug 31, 2022 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, and career difficulties
Very helpful information given to me outside the therapy session.
Written on Aug 12, 2022 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
He’s Awesome
Written on Jul 15, 2022 after therapy with David for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and coaching
David is a great resource! I appreciate his listening skills and advice.
Written on Jun 27, 2022 after therapy with David for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
David is a skilled therapist. He understood were i was and were i want to be immediately. I’m really glad to have found him.
Written on Jun 09, 2022 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and self esteem
Excellent and very professional.
Written on May 23, 2022 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and anger management
Dr. Affolter is a very caring, patient, and knowledgeable therapist. He is very encouraging, and I trust him to help me with my trauma/grief related issues.
Written on May 11, 2022 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, and compassion fatigue
David was awesome at asking questions and posing ideas that made me think inwardly about my goals and hopes for the future. Thanks David. So much.
Written on Feb 06, 2022 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
David is a one of a kind therapist and a huge blessing to my prayers! I have never had a therapist that responded to my needs with thoughtful, sincere responses and helpful ideas for my anxiety. David has helped me so much and will continue to help me. Highly recommend him to anyone who has felt unheard and unimportant to other therapists/counseling practices.
Written on Dec 29, 2021 after therapy with David for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, and compassion fatigue
Very positive and a great listener and cheerleader!
Written on Nov 10, 2021 after therapy with David for 4 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and trauma and abuse
David is a lovely guy! He's kind, helpful and supportive and has helped me greatly.
Written on Nov 06, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 months on issues concerning self esteem, and adhd
Very supportive offers various possible solutions! Makes you feel at ease to share.
Written on Aug 09, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and anger management
David has been fantastic! In the short time he’s been my therapist, he has made a huge difference with my anxiety and related issues.
Written on Jun 10, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, anger management, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, and adhd
I am a therapist, David is wonderful and offering me evidence based practice that I have not ever used or studied. He is wonderful, empathetic and very skilled at what he does.
Written on Jun 03, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, compassion fatigue, and adhd
I’ve been working with David for several months now and loving the process, his multi-faceted and at time direct approach, and partnership of unveiling a more holistic version of myself. I’ve learned lifelong tools to support me and create self-sufficiency and am (insert gasp while clutching fake pearls) at ease and much happier. I didn’t think this version of me was possible.
I was an anxiety junkie but this place after the unlearning is so beautiful. I will always be a work in progress and I’m learning to be ok with that. It’s been an honor to have David by my side and I hope he continues to remain there for much more of the journey.
Written on Apr 26, 2021 after therapy with David for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes
David has been my absolute rock for the last 4 weeks. He has given me an array of information and techniques which have definitely eased my anxiety and helped me on my recovery journey. I am so pleased and I am so grateful to him for everything he has helped me through. Such a gentleman and so professional!
Written on Apr 18, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
I've greatly appreciated David's input as I with through difficult experiences.
He listens well and doesn't waste words. When he offers ideas, they're well considered
Written on Mar 20, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, and self esteem
Solid techniques to assist with anxiety and regular non-intrusive messages to help keep you going on the journey to get better.
Written on Mar 16, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, anger management, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
David is a very helpful person. Truly takes the time to understand and get to know you. It is hard for me to open up to people but I feel comfortable speaking to him. I mean this next statement with all due respect, I sort of feel like he’s my grandfather who truly cares about how I feel. I recommend anybody to have him help you if you want to improve yourself. Thank you David!
Written on Mar 02, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, anger management, and adhd
I’ve really enjoyed working with David. We’ve only had a couple of sessions but I feel very listened to and confident in the feedback he gives me. The resources he sends me are also very helpful and relevant to the issues we discuss. I’m so glad I found such a good fit so quickly!
Written on Jan 28, 2021 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and trauma and abuse
David is a very helpful counselor. He sent me a lot of helpful resources as well as general checkups throughout the week which were very helpful and sincere. I feel that my communication has already bettered with some worksheets that were provided. Thank you again for all your help David!
Written on Jan 08, 2021 after therapy with David for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, and adhd
He is the best! Helping navigate through life in a healthy, safe, friendly manner!
Written on Dec 13, 2020 after therapy with David for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Mr. David is a solid therapist. I’m getting exactly what I signed up for and previous experiences has me feeling unheard and annoyed by the advice but Mr. David is great.
Written on Nov 30, 2020 after therapy with David for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
He is amazing. He has helped me so much. He is unconventional and very nice and respectful.
Written on Oct 28, 2020 after therapy with David for 1 month on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, grief, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, and bipolar disorder
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