About

I am David Butters, a Marriage and Family Therapist licensed in California. Everyone has the capacity to overcome obstacles and create positive change in their lives. We will work to discover your strengths and leverage them in your life. I'm trained in a variety of modalities, including EMDR, to provide you with the best possible care. We will work together to identify and challenge unhelpful patterns of thinking and behavior, helping you develop healthier coping strategies and achieve your personal goals. My approach I consider myself Humanistic-Existential and emphasize the importance of human choices and decisions and feelings of awe toward life. I utilize Dialectal Behavior Therapy, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and EMDR. My focus I work with Teens, Men, Veterans, Couples, and Families. I am comfortable treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and marital challenges. My communication style Sessions with me are typically conversational with laughter and room for tears. I like to create an environment of understanding, compassion, and healing and will listen, challenge, and encourage you to reach your goals. My journey to therapy When I was a young boy, I always told people that I wanted to be a teacher. I did not always treat my teachers as one should, and it surprised people when I told them that. In the first grade, I presented all my GI Joe toys and visited Marine recruiters to get some posters. This may have been an early clue to my future career. I spent 20 years in the Marines, mostly in logistics and a stint in recruiting. I always felt great helping others with their personal problems and their intended direction in life. As I progressed up the ranks, I had the opportunity to set the example of being open-minded and accepting of an individual's plan for the future.