About David

Dr. David Engstrom is a licensed psychologist in Arizona with over 22 years of experience. He brings long-term clinical practice to people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, addiction concerns, and ADHD.

He writes plainly and aims to make therapy straightforward and useful for everyday life. He focuses on problems tied to chronic illness, sleep trouble, and ongoing pain. He also addresses relationship strain, grief, eating and intimacy-related concerns, and patterns of avoidance or compulsive behavior.

Background and approach

Clients who worry about motivation often work on small, practical steps together. In sessions he blends cognitive behavioral tools with acceptance-based and mindfulness practices. That means people learn skills to change unhelpful thoughts and build routines, while also practicing acceptance for hard feelings that won’t just disappear.

He uses client-centered methods to keep conversations focused on each person’s priorities. Dr. Engstrom also draws from dialectical behavior strategies and motivational interviewing to help with emotion regulation and readiness for change.

These approaches are used to address addictions, anger, and processes that keep people stuck. The work is paced to match what each person can handle. He offers help by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, and works with international clients in English.

People interested in starting complete a brief questionnaire and schedule sessions according to availability.

How therapy approaches translate to online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters to them and take small actions toward those values even when tough feelings show up. It is often used for anxiety, depression, and stress that gets in the way of daily life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and trying practical experiments and small behavior changes to reduce symptoms like insomnia, panic, or low mood. Client-Centered Therapy centers sessions around the person’s own goals, with the therapist offering empathy and reflecting what is most important to the client.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk about goals, preferences, and what has or has not helped in the past. That collaborative process shapes whether more ACT, CBT, or supportive client-centered work is the best fit, and the plan is adjusted as needs change.

Online formats available include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is useful for full sessions that involve teaching skills or reviewing materials. Phone can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or a hands-free check-in is needed. Messaging and live chat work well for brief check-ins, homework support, or when people want flexible ways to stay connected between longer sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, caregiving, or travel schedules.

Questions people ask

What kinds of concerns does he address?
He helps with stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, addictions, ADHD, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, and related challenges like chronic pain and compulsive behaviors.
How would you describe his therapeutic style?
He combines cognitive behavioral techniques with acceptance and mindfulness practices and keeps the work practical and focused on daily life and goals.
What is his clinical background?
He has 22 years of clinical experience working with a range of mental health and health-related issues, including chronic illness, sleep disorders, and addiction concerns.
Where is he licensed and based?
He is licensed as an Arizona psychologist with the designation AZ Psychologist PSY-002048 and practices from Arizona.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, and he accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

What this therapist works with

Experience
22 years
Licensed
Arizona
Languages
English

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