David Chism specializes in working with neurodivergent clients feeling the effects of complex trauma and dissociation. David feels all are welcome and enjoys working to help clients navigate whatever issues bring them to therapy and diving into deeper work from there. David graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

He has experience in multiple settings, such as community mental health agencies, group practices and private practice. David began his career working with children and families before shifting his focus to adults. He is EMDR certified and trained in somatic modalities such as Deep Brain Reorienting and Natural Processing that are well suited to clients wanting to create internal shifts in how they feel about themselves and relate to others. David utilizes a therapeutic approach that is client-driven, giving clients agency in their own therapy.

As David spent more time in private practice, he settled into a niche of working with clients who typically share the intersections of neurodivergence, complex trauma, dissociation, and internalized shame. Now David is broadening his focus to include clientele who may not have a complex trauma background, but still find themselves struggling with issues of self-worth, having a lack of relationships or ones that feel unfulfilling or one-sided, may be experiencing a phase of life challenge that they are struggling to navigate like marriage or parenthood, are struggling to emotionally connect with others, or are having some issues around their identity.

David also loves sports, is a bit bookish, and enjoys playing Dungeons and Dragons with his friends. He is also really tall…like, it comes up a lot. So if you’re curious how tall ahead of time, he’s 6’7”. He also did not play sports in high school because tragically he has zero athleticism despite his height. We all have our struggles.