David Daroff

Qualifications & Experience

I have a BA in Psychology from Westmont College, an MDiv from the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, CA, and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University in Draper, Utah.

My Call to Christian Counseling

When I was in full-time pastoral ministry, much of my time was spent working with congregants who were dealing with serious issues. I decided I needed more counseling training as a response to what God was putting before me in ministry.

More About Me/On a Personal Note

I love Alaska and have spent time establishing a home in Glacier Bay, Alaska. I love music, including playing the guitar and singing. I also love the mountains, watching sports, and learning how to cook new dishes. I enjoy fixing and improving homes and learning new skills. I also like riding motorcycles and flying.

Areas of Expertise/Specialties

• Abandonment and Neglect
• ADHD
• Aging and Geriatric Issues
• Anger Management
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chemical Dependency
• Coaching
• Counseling for Teens
• Couples Counseling
• Codependency
• Depression
• Eating Disorders
• Family Counseling
• Grief and Loss
• Group Counseling
• Individual Counseling
• Infidelity and Affairs
• Lifespan Integration
• Marriage Counseling
• Men’s Issues
• OCD
• Online Counseling
• Personal Development
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Premarital Counseling
• Professional Development
• Relationship Issues
• Sex and Porn Addiction
• Sexual Abuse
• Spiritual Development
• Trauma

Premarital Counseling

I began doing premarital counseling in 1991 and have worked with hundreds of couples planning to get married. I have also officiated hundreds of weddings. With premarital counseling, I like to use the Prepare/Enrich materials. Keep in mind that the process takes time,  so don’t leave it for the the last week or two before you get married. I would say that couples who do premarital counseling have much higher marriage satisfaction overall and are less likely to have significant problems after they get married.

Grief and Loss

It would be unusual for a person to go through life without experiencing some grief and loss. However, when it does happen it is never easy and it requires a process of walking through the valleys and feeling the grief. I believe that most people will go through various stages of grief and come through it better and more accepting of what has been lost. I think we have to grieve the loss of what was or what we thought was important in order to accept the new realities. Grief is not just about death; it can also include what we feel when something important is taken away. Working through grief is a process, and I would be honored to walk through it with you.

Relationship Issues

Relationships are hard and you don’t have them without taking some risk. We often get hurt and learn to protect ourselves, but unfortunately our protecting can lead us to become passive aggressive, hurtful, and selfish. We can employ thinking errors and lack empathy. We can blame others and not see how we are separating ourselves from what we need in relationships just to protect ourselves. Good relationships lead us to much happier lives and more fulfilling times and purposes. Through relationship counseling, it is possible to strengthen your relationships and find practical ways to heal and grow.

Lifespan Integration (LI)

Lifespan Integration is a technique I have personally used in my life and have been trained on. I find it useful and effective to reconnect our feelings and emotions with the events that started them. It can help us become more congruent and gain a clear understanding of who we are and why we feel and think things. Lifespan Integration is also very useful in helping with PTSD and dealing with life events. The net effect is more permanent; after having processed through issues using Lifespan Integration, clients often find they experience more lasting peace.

Group Counseling

I am a big believer in the processes and dynamics that participation in a group can bring. I had the privilege of leading a Sex Offender group for a couple of years and I believe it was the most effective method of change we had in our arsenal. Whether it is for marriage work, anger management, chemical dependency, or other areas of need, I often encourage counselees to find groups in which they can share and learn from each other.

Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.

Availability (by office location):

Hansville  – Monday & Tuesday

Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals, couples, and groups looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.

Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), most insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.

Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).

Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.