“The more I learn, the more I want to know. I am never at the end point. You are never in a situation that you have learned every case.”
From Soccer to Counseling
Dave had been coaching soccer for 36 years working with ages as young as 2, all the way to NCAA Division I athletes. He was also heavily involved in providing coaching education to coaches. As much as he loved soccer, Dave always knew that working with kids was more important to him.
After the soccer event, he came home to tell his wife Michelle, Associate Dean of the College of Health and Education, what had happened and thought, “Wow, so many people need help. So many people need perspective.” He then applied and go accepted to Marymount’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Master’s program and began his journey while still coaching soccer full-time.
He graduated with an undergraduate degree in sports science and sports injury, so he was entering a whole new field, but he was determined to pursue his newfound passion.
Experience at Marymount University
“The MU program really challenged me but also allowed me to find my self-belief in the academic environment.”
“I’ve often pondered what was more significant in my development: grad-school, or supervision, and I don’t think they can be separated. They are both critical, but I would not have had a positive residency without the strength of the MU grad program.”
In his senior year at Marymount, he had a moment of self-doubt, but a conversation with a professor gave him more perspective. He didn’t feel ready to be a therapist in the real world and the professor validated his feeling, saying, “You’re further than you think you are.” She went on to share that the counseling profession requires continuous learning and training that it is hard to be prepared for every situation.
In his final semester, Dave found his internship to be impactful on his skills and growth in the field. “The advanced skills and advanced theories classes helped tremendously while having the opportunity to practice things in real time. Several of the professors impacted me greatly around things they shared with me or ways they inspired me,” Dave says. The impact his professors had on him inspired him to mentor interns and less experienced therapists on their own career journeys as well.
Working in the Field & Starting His Own Practice
He graduated in 2016 and for nearly seven years post graduation, Dave worked across two different practices in Fairfax, helping each practitioner grow their practice while transitioning out of soccer. As time went on, he picked up more and more hours and at one point had over 40 clients across both locations.
In January 2023, Dave started his own private practice in Lansdowne called Evolve Therapy and Wellness, bringing over some of his previous clients. It is a family practice that also specializes in working with athletes. At his practice, he has had the opportunity to work with a variety of athletes who play football, baseball, fence, crew, softball, and even his favorite, soccer.
Community Involvement
At the beginning of this year, he spoke at the Ryan Bartel Foundation ceremony. Since then, he has done several workshops with the foundation and helped with summer camps that incorporate movement, mindfulness, and creative thinking. He also partnered with Saint James FC (formerly TSJ FC VA) in Loudon County to be their mental health and mental performance coach next year. He enjoys giving back to the community and volunteering his time.
Future Aspirations
Dave would like to start a nonprofit organization to serve families that cannot afford mental healthcare and uniformed service personnel like EMT and police forces. One of his former mentees and current therapists at his practice, Daniel, is interested in working on this initiative with him and would like to also help college baseball players with their mental health. Dave hopes to expand community relations, employ interns, and serve underserved families.
Fun Facts
- Favorite Band/Musician: U2
- Favorite Color: Red
- How He Spends His Free Time: weight-lifting, gardening, and spending time with his family and his dogs
- Motto: “On any level, a positive outlook will always eventually overcome a negative outlook.”
