David Affolter

David Affolter has spent most of his adult life helping others, a throughline that began after college and service in the Air Force when he chose a career that would bring lasting satisfaction. He spent nearly twenty years as a high school teacher and coach, finding deep reward in supporting young people to accomplish things they once believed were out of reach.

Throughout his teaching years he was often drawn to students who were struggling to find their way, and many sought him out for someone to listen and offer guidance. He continues to keep in touch with former students via social media and watches as they build families and follow their own paths.

After his daughters left for college, he pursued counseling with the encouragement of his wife. He completed a graduate degree in Community Counseling at The University of Akron in 1994 and went on to obtain professional licenses to practice counseling in both Ohio and Florida - licensed to practice as a professional clinical counselor in Ohio and as a mental health counselor in Florida. The move from teaching to counseling was smooth, and he emphasizes offering new information and perspectives to help people decide where they want to go and how to get there.

With 27 years of experience in the field, David has helped people address a wide variety of concerns and has observed that many are able to rebuild self-esteem and move in directions they choose. He has come to understand how life wounds people and how therapy can support the healing process, watching individuals create new ways of living that lead to outcomes they once thought impossible.

Reflecting on his own life, he finds it humbling to witness people gain the courage to change and move forward. If someone believes that this kind of experience would be helpful, David can join them on the journey and assist in finding a new destination - whether that means a new way of viewing oneself, a different career path, new relationships, or a renewed sense of meaning and purpose. He looks forward to assisting people on that path.