ABOUT
Fulltime faculty member at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center within the graduate Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Prior teaching appointments at Seton Hall University, Oklahoma City University, and University of Central Oklahoma.
Oklahoma licensed Psychotherapist and Director of Corporate Partnerships at W Collective. Extensive clinical experience providing therapy and supervision within mental health agencies, community mental health centers, and inpatient hospitals since entering the profession in 2013.
Advocate for mental wellness, having been a guest on podcasts, article interviews, lecture spots, and discussion panels both locally and nationally. Member of the American Counseling Association and Oklahoma Counseling Association.
EDUCATION
December 2020
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Cumberlands
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Major: Counselor Education & Supervision
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CACREP accredited
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Graduated Chi Sigma Iota
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Dissertation topic - “A quantitative study: The indirect effects of implicit bias on the relationship between participant social group affiliation and emotional experiences.”
May 2014
Master of Education, Oklahoma City University
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Major: Applied Behavioral Studies/Licensed Counseling
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Graduated High Honors & Phi Kappa Phi
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Capstone research- The social, cognitive, and evolutionary psychology of membership in Caucasian hate groups.
May 2003
Bachelor of Arts, University of Oklahoma
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Major: Anthropology, Minor: Psychology
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Area of focus and capstone research in Cultural Anthropology
PROFESSIONAL LICENSES
December 2015 – Present
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OK #5943, Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health
April 2018 – Present
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Board Approved LPC Supervisor, Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Fall 2022 – Present
Core Faculty, Texas Tech University HSC
Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
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Providing student advising
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Member of multiple committees
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Teaching virtually, asynchronously & synchronously:
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Multicultural Counseling
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Introduction to Counseling & Ethical Development
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Counseling Practicum
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Counseling Internship
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Spring 2021 – Summer 2022
Adjunct Professor, Seton Hall University
Professional & School Counseling program
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Wrote the standardized curriculum for the Multicultural Counseling and Psychology course
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Teaching courses asynchronously:
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Counseling Theories
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Counseling Skills
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Counseling Practicum
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Counseling Internship
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Spring 2017 – Summer 2022
Adjunct Professor, Oklahoma City University
Applied Behavioral Studies/LPC
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2021 Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Professor of the Year
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Teaching courses onsite and synchronously:
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Multicultural Counseling
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Advanced Counseling Techniques
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Behavior Pathology
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Career Counseling
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Counseling Practicum
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Counseling Internship
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Group Counseling
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Marriage and Family Counseling
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Fall 2019
Adjunct Professor, University of Central Oklahoma
Undergraduate Psychology program
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Courses taught onsite:
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Introduction to Psychology
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Fall 2017
Teaching Assistant, Southern Nazarene University
Licensed Professional Counseling Program
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Course taught in-person:
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Professional Orientation and Ethics
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Summer 2017
Teaching Assistant, University of the Cumberlands
Licensed Professional Counseling Program; Online
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Course taught synchronously
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Theories and Techniques in Treating Addictions
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CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
November 2020 – Present
Mental Health Therapist & Sole Proprietor
David Pfaff Counseling, LLC
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Owner and sole proprietor of David Pfaff Counseling, LLC, providing outpatient mental health therapy to the public and licensure supervision to LPC candidates.Primary theoretical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment, Emotion-Focused, and Solution Focused Brief therapies.Areas of focus: emotional regulation, trauma, grief, relationships, attachment, suicidality, self-harm, diversity, inclusion, identity, gender, and substance use.
August 2017 – January 2021
Therapist, Center for Counseling & Well-Being
University of Central Oklahoma
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Oklahoma licensed outpatient mental health therapist providing treatment to university students within a university center for counseling and wellbeing. Services include intakes, assessment, individual and group therapies, and case management. Also provided outreach through advocacy, training, and guest lecturing.
June 2014 – August 2017
Clinical Coordinator Children’s Crisis Unit & Therapist
Red Rock Behavioral Health Services
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Directing the day-to-day clinical operations of the Children’s Crisis Unit, an inpatient mental health facility for youth and adolescents experiencing acute mental health crisis. Also, served as a licensed and nationally certified outpatient mental health therapist providing treatment to youth and adults within a community mental health setting.
MEDIA & PRINT
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In Progress (fall 2023): Author, book chapter on the Transtheoretical Model Stages of Change. Edited book by Bill Owenby, ABD, DCMHS, MC, LPC-S
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In Progress (fall 2023): Author, book chapter on Insight Therapy. Edited book by Bill Owenby, ABD, DCMHS, MC, LPC-S
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In Progress (fall 2023): Author, book chapter on Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. Edited book by Bill Owenby, ABD, DCMHS, MC, LPC-S
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August 2022: Podcast interview: Why I Became a Therapist & Educator. The Why I Network, hosted by Kojo Thompson. Link: https://www.thewhyinetwork.com/271490/11089383-why-i-became-a-therapist-with-dr-david-pfaff
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October 2021: Podcast interview: Adverse Childhood Experiences. Relatively Normal, hosted by Marc Piasant, Season 4 (84). Link: https://anchor.fm/marc-paisant7/episodes/Relatively-Normal---S4---Ep84---Childhood-Trauma-with-Dr--David-Pfaff-e1891fb
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September 2021: Podcast interview: Problematic Substance Use & Addictions. In the Weeds, hosted by Jacob Phelps. Link: https://anchor.fm/intheweedsokc/episodes/Addiction-and-or-Problematic-Substance-Use-e17cdvh
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August 2021: Podcast interview: Relationships and mental health. In the Weeds, hosted by Jacob Phelps. Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7dbnKF0U4CGzxm1cIeKmwX
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June 2021: Podcast interview: Depression and coping. In the Weeds, hosted by Jacob Phelps. Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0mMQSm9pYo5qYAtWen0sQ8
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May 2021: Podcast interview: Anxiety and coping. In the Weeds, hosted by Jacob Phelps. Link: https://open.spotify.com/show/4D271AI2BJmKqhnDezntGn
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February 2021: Podcast interview: Suicidality and prevention. Relatively Normal, hosted by Marc Piasant, Season 3 (62). Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2hm2hqWxuSj27T7cKEOTXj
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January 2021: Article interview, Suicidality and prevention. Blunt Therapy, authored by Randy Withers. Link: https://www.blunt-therapy.com/therapists-share-their-thoughts-on-suicide/
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January 2021: Article interview, Motivation and self-care. MyFitnessPal, authored by Julia Malacoff. Link: https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/clever-ways-to-convince-yourself-to-work-out/
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December 2020: PhD Dissertation Study, A Quantitative Study: The Indirect Effects of Implicit Bias on the Relationship Between Participant Social-Group Affiliation and Emotional Experiences. Link
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May 2020: Podcast interview: Mental health stigma. Relatively Normal, hosted by Marc Piasant, Season 2 (33). Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Og9iUXxpcIvZHd0oqlJ6n?si=nyShb-SuQ-69NsWueVypkg
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May 2017: Publication reviewer and contributor (acknowledged). Constructive Theories and Therapies, Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy in Context and Practice (3rd ed.), by Rita and John Sommers-Flanagan
COMMUNITY
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February 2023: Peer reviewer, Roman & Littlefield Publishing for the book proposal: Staying ALERT to Suicide: A Clinician’s Guide to Suicide Assessment and Healing from Client Suicide
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November 2022 & February 2023: Author and Speaker, Family and Relationship Therapy Workshop for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program at the Kramer School of Nursing, Oklahoma City University.
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March 2022: Consultant and subject matter expert. Psychological support for Ukraine, virtual
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March 2022: Peer reviewer, Roman & Littlefield Publishing for the book proposal: Modern Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy
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August 2021: Preceptor for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program, Oklahoma City University.
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June 2021: Speaker and subject matter expert. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, Oklahoma City, OK.
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January 2020: Speaker and subject matter expert. U.S. Social Security Administration, Oklahoma City, OK. Topic: Self-care and stress management during the pandemic
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October 2020: Speaker, World Mental Health Day. Root Insurance Company, national meeting, Atlanta, GA. Topic: Mental wellness and stigma in the workplace
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April 2016: Discussion panel member and subject matter expert. OKC Civic Center production of ‘night, Mother. Suicidality and mental health crisis prevention.
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May 2015 – January 2017: Facilitator for Strengthening Families Program. Red Rock Behavioral Health & Oklahoma Department of Human Services.
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February 2016 & February 2014: Professional conference presenter. Oklahoma Counseling Association Mid-Winter Conference. Examined research on the intensifying concern of Caucasian hate groups within the US using a multidisciplinary approach framed through Sternberg’s triangulation of hate theory.
AWARDS
2021 Excellence in Teaching Award
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Center for Excellence in Learning and Education, Oklahoma City University
2012 & 2013 Innovation Award
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University of Oklahoma Outreach
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
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American Counseling Association
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Oklahoma Counseling Association
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Oklahoma Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development
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Chi Sigma Iota National Honors Society, Counseling Academics & Professionals.
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Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society
CONTACT
Dr. David Pfaff, PhD, LPC
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Office phone: 405-509-5081
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Email: dapfaff@ttuhsc.edu
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Mail: 1700 NW 17th, STE 100, Oklahoma City, OK, 73106