My name’s David Flack. I’ve been providing counseling to teens and young adults for over two decades.
A Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Substance Use Disorders Professional, I hold additional credentials as a Child Mental Health Specialist, Sexual Minority Mental Health Specialist, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. I also have advanced training and significant experience treating trauma in teens, depression in adolescent males, substance use disorders, behavioral addictions, and LGBTQ+ topics.
COUNSELING EXPERIENCE
I’ve been in private practice since 2017 — meeting with teen guys, emerging adult males, and transgender youth.
Prior to entering private practice, I spent fifteen years providing counseling services at community mental health agencies and in other settings — as a mental health therapist, substance abuse counselor, and clinical supervisor.
Much of that time was spent as a co-occurring disorders therapist for adolescents, which means I provided fully integrated mental health and substance abuse counseling.
However, I’ve also worked in an adolescent in-patient program, led wilderness therapy outings, and provided counseling at a university mental health clinic.
Prior to becoming a professional counselor, I was a case manager at a group home for sexually aggressive teens, worked at drop-in centers for homeless youth, and spent several summer as a camp counselor.
Along the way, I’ve come to believe in the possibility of change, the importance of connection, and the value of humor.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL PURSUITS
I’m passionate about improving treatment outcomes for teens. That’s why I’ve been facilitating well received professional development trainings since 2007 — at local agencies, through county and state sponsored events, for residential programs across North America, and with Cascadia Training right here in Seattle. Topics have included engaging reluctant youth, depression in adolescent males, treating trauma in teens, ethical considerations when counseling teens, and more.
I’ve also presented over 100 times at international, national, and regional conferences — including multiple times at conferences of the American Counseling Association, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, the Association for Experiential Education, and the Washington Council for Behavioral Health. Recent topics have included depression in adolescent males, the connection between trauma and substance use, clinical strategies for engaging avoidantly attached teens, and treating behavioral addictions.
Finally, I’ve written a few published articles:
- Engaging Avoidant Teens: An Attachment Based Approach to Building Therapeutic Alliance, published in the May 2020 edition of Counseling Today
- Beyond the Stuckness: Teens, Trauma & Substance Use Disorders, published in the Summer 2019 edition of the American Mental Health Association’s Advocate Magazine
- Getting Unstuck: Fostering Change with Teens that Have Co-occurring Disorders, published in the April 2016 edition of Counseling Today
LICENSES & OTHER CREDENTIALS
My licenses and other credentials include:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (#LH60548722), State of Washington
- Substance Use Disorders Professional (#CP00006223), State of Washington
- Child Mental Health Specialist, State of Washington
- Sexual Minority Mental Health Specialist, State of Washington
- Approved Clinical Supervisor, State of Washington
EDUCATION & ADVANCED TRAININGS
My relevant educational background includes:
- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, City University of Seattle
- Certificate of Achievement in Chemical Dependency Counseling, Seattle Central College
- Post Graduate Certificate in Trauma-Informed Care and Counseling, University at Buffalo
My undergraduate coursework focused on anthropology, theatre arts, and experiential education. It was completed at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
I have a strong commitment to continuously developing my knowledge and skills, so regularly participate in advanced continuing education and other professional trainings. This includes about 300 hours of training on treating trauma and over 200 hours of training in LGBTQ+-specific topics. A few highlights:
- Clinical Trauma Professional Training, presented by the International Association of Trauma Professionals
- Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, presented by the Medical University of South Carolina
- LGBT-Affirmative Psychotherapy, presented by the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy Foundational Training, presented by the Linehan Institute
- Clinical Applications of Mindfulness, presented by The Evergreen State College
- Suicide Prevention Summit, presented by the Mental Health Academy and American Counseling Association
- Counselor Camp (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023)
- Annual Conferences of the American Counseling Association (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023)
- Annual Conferences of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (2019, 2020, 2021, 2024)