David Savinsky

Biography

A guiding theme for my life is that of relationship and two statements inform this interest. The first is from Irvin Yalom, who instructs, “It is the relationship that heals.” I have experienced the positive aspects of being healed in my own relationships and seen the immense power of how relationship heals others through therapy and counseling. The second is by the educator Jon Kabat-Zinn, in his definition of mindfulness: “Paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” Being in relationship with oneself and others requires a focused mind and focused awareness in both the realm of the self and the other. The challenge is to be nonjudgmental and authentic in those interactions.

I have worked in the field of counseling and therapy for the past 25 years, working in a myriad of settings. Since 2003, I have been in private practice in Virginia Beach, working as a psychotherapist with adolescents, adults, families, substance abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety and additional clinical symptomology.

The challenge of being authentic in treatment is no better represented than treating teenagers and families. In this work, I found my calling. I have been looking for ways patients can find peace, utilizing multiple types of treatment, including individual therapy, groups, and specific work with adolescents and families. My search for effective treatment led to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to treat teenagers, families, and adults. This approach has integrated well in how I understand relationships and how to develop peace by utilizing mindfulness-based approaches. I continue to utilize DBT, Prolonged Exposure (PE), and evidence-based treatment in my clinical work.

In my own life creating meaning is done through relationships with others and with my relationship with God. The conflict of being on a journey to understand, married with the frustration of the unknown future is captured all too well in Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. There is tension between the demand to “know” in those difficult moments and the humility of accepting what we cannot understand. This acceptance and humility is necessary to experience peace.

My involvement in teaching has expanded my worldview and my role in helping others. I have expanded interests in how therapy works from both the clinical and research domains. I have developed significant interest in how the counselor develops personally and professionally and have a strong interest in the supervision process. Students need good clinical training! I am passionate in helping them find their way to become competent counselors.

My position at the CUI Townsend Institute Counseling Program allows me to seek and expand on the many passions I have with clinical work and counselor supervision. In addition, it affords the chance to pursue research in finding answers to the myriad of questions that my clinical and supervisory work has generated.

Degrees Earned

• PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
• MA in Community/Clinical Psychology, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
• B.A. in Psychology and Sociology, Virginia Wesleyan College, Virginia Beach, VA

Work Experience

Academic Positions and Experience

• July 1, 2022 – Present, Professor, Concordia University Irvine
• April 2018 – June 2022, Associate Professor, School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University
• Aug 2012 – April 2018, Assistant Professor, School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
• Jul 2013 – June 2022, Clinical Training Coordinator, School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
• May 2008 – Aug 2012, Adjunct Instructor, School of Psychology & Counseling, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA
• Jan 2006 – May 2010, Adjunct Instructor – Psychology Department, Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk, VA
• Sep 2005 – May 2010, Adjunct Instructor – Sociology Department, Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk, VA
• Aug 2007 – May 2008, Teaching Assistant – Masters in Counseling Program, School of Psychology & Counseling, Regent University

Clinical Positions and Experience

• May 2013 – Present, Co-Founder/Co-Owner/Psychotherapist/Consultant/Supervisor, Beach Therapy & Consulting, Virginia Beach, VA
• Nov 2003 – Apr 2013, Psychotherapist/Clinician, Atlantic Psychiatric Services, Virginia Beach, VA
• May 2004 – Dec 2009, Psychotherapist/Chemical Dependency Facilitator, Atlantic Psychiatric Services, Chemical Dependency Intensive Outpatient Program, Virginia Beach, VA
• Nov 2003 – Dec 2004, Psychotherapist/Clinician – Psychological Services of Chesapeake, Chesapeake, VA
• Aug 2002 – Dec 2002, Acting Program Director – Chesapeake Boys’ Home, Chesapeake, VA
• Mar 1999 – Nov 2003, Assistant Program Director – Chesapeake Boys’ Home, Chesapeake, VA
• Nov 1996 – Mar 1999, Counselor, Regional Group Home, Virginia Beach, VA
• Mar 1994 – Nov 1996, Mental Health Worker, Virginia Beach Psychiatric Center

Consultation Experience

• Sep 2012 – Present, Consulting Clinical Supervisor, Seton Youth Shelters, Virginia Beach, VA
• May 2013 – Dec 2014, Consulting Clinical Supervisor, Virginia Beach Methadone Clinic, Virginia Beach, VA
• June 2006 – March 2007, Consultant/Trainer – Hampton Roads Youth Center (HRYC), Suffolk, VA
• Sep 2005 – Dec 2005, Consultant, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA
• 2002 – 2003, Consultant/Trainer – United Methodist Church, Norfolk and Portsmouth Districts, Norfolk, VA

Courses Taught

• COUN 605 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues
• COUN 621 Psychopharmacology
• COUN 606 Foundations and Contextual Dimensions of Mental Health Counseling
• COUN 611 Foundations of Crisis and Trauma Counseling
• COUN 613 Foundations of Addiction Counseling
• CES 753 Qualitative Design & Analysis
• CES 755 Advanced Qualitative Research in Counselor Education

Additional Certifications

• CSAC
• ACS

Professional Memberships

ACA, APA, AAMFT, IAAOC, ACES, SACES, IARTC

Specialized Practice Areas

• Dialectical Behavior Therapy
• Trauma Treatment (Prolonged Exposure)
• Adolescent psychopathology
• Family therapy
• Substance use (teen and adult)

Publications

• Savinsky, D. M. & Suggs, B. (in press). Addictions and College and Young Adults. In Williams, C. R. Addictions Counseling: Body, Soul, and Spirit (1st Ed).
• Suggs, B., Sanderfer Stull, M., Baker, S. R., Erwin, K. T., & Savinsky, D. M. (2022). A Tide of Technical Trends: Technology Competence Among Licensed Counselors. Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision, 2(1), 10-19.
• Suggs, B. G., Robins, L. B., Kerrigan, R., Cannedy, M., Buquo, M., & Savinsky, D. M. (2022). Barriers Unleashed: Thematic Views of Help-Seeking and Services Utilization among African American Emerging Adults. Journal of Human Services, 41(1), 31-48.
• Kent, V., Runyan, H. I., Savinsky, D. M., & Knight, J. L. (2020). Mentoring Doctoral Student Mothers in Counselor Education: A Phenomenological Study. The Professional Counselor, 10(4), 532-547.
• Randall Reyes, J., Savinsky, D. M., Underwood, L., & Knight, J. L. (2019). The Lived Experience of Mental Health Providers in Wilderness Therapy Programs. Journal of Therapeutic Schools and Programs, 9, 120-136.
• Impellizzeri, J., Savinsky, D. M., King, J. & Leitch-Alford, L. (2017). Conceptual mapping task: An effective verification tool for qualitative counseling research. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation, 8(1), 31-47.
• Savinsky, D. M. (2016). Authoritative parenting. In John Carlson and Shannon Dermer (Ed.’s), Encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couple counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
• Savinsky, D. M. (2016). Parent-adolescent relations. In John Carlson and Shannon Dermer (Ed.’s), Encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couple counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.
• Savinsky, D. M. (2012). Treatment of adolescent substance abuse and family cohesiveness using modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy. (Doctoral Dissertation). ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3528733).

Publications In Process

• Savinsky, D. M., Smith, J., Suggs, B. G., McKinney, C. M., & Cannedy, M. (in progress). Exploring and Enhancing the Support Structure for Site Supervisors in Online Counseling Programs: A Phenomenological Study.
• Cronan, K., Bearden, M., Quaranta-Leech, A., Johnson, D., Drye, K., & Savinsky, D. M. (in progress). Experiences and Cultivation of Social Justice in Master’s Level Clinical Mental Health Counseling Students at Christian Universities. Journal of Psychology & Theology.
• Savinsky, D. M., Towns, D., Wildasin, H., Casada, M., Perry, J. (in progress). The Lived Experiences of DBT Therapists: A Phenomenological Study.
• Savinsky, D. M. (in progress). When the Rug is Pulled Out From Under You: Private Practice Ending Without Consent. Counseling Today.
• Narouze, M., Belton, R., Luna, V. & Savinsky, D. M. (in progress). Engagement of International Students in the Counseling Education Classroom: A Narrative Study Exploring Counselor Educators’ Experiences and Efforts.

Presentations

• Savinsky, D. M. (2024, June). Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Informed Substance Use Disorder Treatment. Invited Presentation for the Clinical Preceptorship Training Symposium, San Diego, CA.
• Savinsky, D. M., Smith, J.R., Suggs, B., McKinney, C., & Cannedy, M. (2023, October). Bridging the Gap: Reinforcing Site Supervisors Support in Digitally Delivered Programs. Presented at the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES) National Conference, Denver, CO.
• Savinsky, D. M., Impellizzeri, J., Smith, J. R., Suggs, B., & McKinney, C. (2022, November). Enhancing Support Structures for Site Supervisors in Online Counseling Programs: A Qualitative Study. Presented at the North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Pittsburgh, PA.
• Savinsky, D. M. (2021, March). Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Substance Use Disorders. Invited presentation for Virginia Association for Addiction Professionals (VAAP). Virginia Beach, VA.
• Boone-Savinsky, K. & Savinsky, D. M. (2019, October). Troubleshooting DBT Skills. Invited presentation for Old Dominion University (ODU) Counseling Center staff. Presented at ODU, Norfolk, VA.
• King, J. & Savinsky, D. M. (2019, October). Getting Unstuck in Supervision: Using the Conceptual Mapping Task as a Dynamic Supervision Tool for Trainees and Seasoned Counselors. Presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) National Conference, Seattle, WA.
• Savinsky, D. M. (2019, September). Emerging Adults with Addiction: How Do I Get Started in Treatment? Invited presentation for Act on Addiction Summit. INOVA Kellar Center, Fairfax, VA.
• Savinsky, D. M. (2019, January). ASAM Criteria Condensed. Invited presentation for Virginia Association of Addiction Professionals (TVAAP), Portsmouth, VA.
• Savinsky, D. M. (2018, July). Assessing the Family for Treatment Fit Utilizing the Sequential Family Addictions Model. Presented at the Virginia Summer Addiction Institute (VSIAS) Annual Conference, Williamsburg, VA.

Trainings Received

• July 18, 2023. Fostering Hope and Health: Advanced Skills Training in Motivational Interviewing. Sandra S. Downing, LPC. Virginia Summer Addiction Institute (VSIAS) Annual Conference, Williamsburg, VA. 6.0 contact hours.
• 2021. Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES) National Convention, Atlanta, GA (Attended online).
• Sep 26, 2020. Stay Strong/Stay Willing Online Mindfulness Retreat. Cedar Coons, LCSW & Beth O’Rourke, LCSW.
• June 3-6, 2020. Intensive training in the Dialectical Behavior Therapy Prolonged Exposure Protocol for PTSD (DBTPE). Behavioral Tech, LLC. 25 contact hours.
• Feb 16-19, 2020. Substance Use Disorders: A Comprehensive Review and Update 2020. Massachusetts General Hospital Psychiatry Academy. 13.5 contact hours.
• 10/4/19. Disaster Mental Health and Post-Crisis Counseling Support. Virginia Beach Convention Center. 7.0 contact hours.
• 2019. Working with Emotion Dysregulation in Families: Dialectical Behavior Therapy with Parents, Couples, and Families. Alan E. Fruzzetti, PhD. 14 contact hours.