David Affolter , LMHC, LPCC

David Affolter has spent most of his adult life helping others find direction and meaning. After serving in the Air Force, he chose a path centered on service and became a high school teacher and coach, a role he held for nearly twenty years. In the classroom and on the field he was often drawn to students who struggled to find their way, offering listening, encouragement, and practical guidance. He still keeps in touch with many former students and finds it rewarding to watch them grow their own families and careers.

As his daughters left for college, he felt compelled to continue helping people in a new way and pursued graduate study in Community Counseling at The University of Akron, completing that program in 1994. With support from his wife he transitioned into professional counseling and holds the credentials LPCC and LMHC - Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. He is licensed to practice in Ohio and Florida and brings 27 years of counseling experience to his work.

David helps clients examine how life has wounded them and supports the process of healing and change. He assists people in exploring new perspectives, setting goals, and building lives that feel meaningful - whether that means finding new relationships, changing careers, deepening spirituality, or developing a stronger sense of self. He approaches therapy as a collaborative journey, accompanying people as they move toward destinations they may once have thought out of reach.

Therapeutic Approaches for Online Care

David draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to support people in online work. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and take meaningful action even when difficult thoughts and feelings arise - it can be useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on empathic listening and respect, creating space for clients to explore identity, self-worth, and relationship concerns at their own pace. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, often helping with anxiety, depression, panic, and coping challenges.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. David works collaboratively with clients to identify which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as progress unfolds so the approach remains practical and client-centered.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility and accessibility for busy lives. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into a variety of schedules, and use different ways of communicating depending on what feels most helpful. Licensed professionals can tailor their approach across these options to support meaningful change from wherever a client is located.