How has your particular field of specialization evolved in recent years and how has that impacted your work?
I have worked for over 30 years in the mental health field. My professional experience includes work with adults, adolescents, couples, families, and Military service members. I have worked in schools, hospitals, and both community inpatient and outpatient facilities. I have combined all my work experience to provide the best in private practice treating DSM-V disorders.
How do you determine therapy goals with clients? What does that process look like?
Smart goals Be clear about what you are aiming for your goals should include specifics who, where, when, why and what... Set goals you can measure Set a goal you are able to do Set a goal that is practical Time-related
Specialties
Depression
Depression often causes people to feel sad, empty, or hopeless, and can cause a lack of interest in life. It can also affect a person's thinking patterns and physical health.
Anxiety
Anxiety can mean nervousness, worry, or self-doubt. Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder that entails excessive, repeated bouts of worry, anxiety, and/or fear.
Addiction
Regular involvement with a substance or activity in a compulsive, hard to control way that often has harmful consequences. Often refers to substance use, but can include compulsive behaviors such as sex, gambling, or shopping.
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is a condition that is precipitated by a perceived terrifying event. This event need not occur directly to the person but may happen vicariously—having seen something terrible happen to another person. The condition may last months or years while symptoms include ruminating thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares, intense anxiety when triggered, and potential substance abuse in attempt to cope.
Couples
Provides couples therapy/counseling
General Expertise
Careers
Designed to help people choose, change, or leave a career at any stage of life. Careers are often wrapped up in people’s perceived identity, therefore, any change can cause anxiety and/or depression.
Academic challenges
Concerns that impact school performance or academic life. Can include perfectionism, bullying, financial stress, academic transitions, test anxiety, balancing school with other responsibilities, discrimination, or harassment.
ADHD
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) causes a hard time focusing attention and controlling restless or impulsive behavior. People with ADHD might have emotional outbursts, be forgetful, and/or find it difficult to stay organized.
Anger management
It's normal to experience anger at times, but for some, it becomes so frequent, intense, or difficult to control that it negatively affects their life. Anger management is a structured therapeutic approach toward reducing one’s anger to a point where more appropriate coping and/or conflict management skills are used. Beliefs and thoughts leading toward anger outbursts are explored while healthy coping and interpersonal skills are put into practice.
Body image issues
Due to continued exposure to images of “normal” or “desired” body types, people can develop a range of positive or negative emotions about their appearance causing anxiety, depression, or eating disorders.
Fees
$150
First Session
$130
Family Therapy
$130
Couples Therapy
$250
Group Therapy
$110
Individual Therapy
Types of Therapy
Family Session
Couples Session
Group Session
Individual Session
Clientele
Young Adults (18-24)
Adults (25-65)
Seniors (65+)
Treatment Approaches / Modalities
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Eclectic Therapy
Training / Certifications
National Board Certified Counselor 210586, Master Addiction Counselor Certification 507392 (NAADAC)
Licensure
NC, LCMHC, 4832
CT, LPC, 1381
Education
Master Arts in Counseling Awarded December 17, 1976 Pepperdine University
Advanced Certificate in Counseling, University of Bridgeport 30 credits beyond a Masters degree
Work History
For close to 35 years, Dave Ellis been helping clients improve their mental health through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. He earned a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Connecticut in 1975. After college, Dave served honorably in the United States Military and worked in schools and mental health agencies since 2005 in Connecticut. He has been in private practice in North Carolina since 2005 providing office and Telehealth Services. Dave is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Supervisor in North Carolina and a licensed Professional Counselor in Connecticut. His professional experience includes work with adolescents, couples, families, and Military service members. His specializations include Substance Abuse Counseling, Assessment, and Diagnosis, Client-Centered Therapy, Family Therapy, and DSM-V Disorders.
Location
1700 Salter Path Road Unit, S303, Indian Beach, 28512, NC