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David Pfaff
PhD, LPC

Faculty, Texas Tech University HSC

Psychotherapist, Private Practice

Websites:

Clinical • Faculty • LinkedIn

about

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.

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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. 

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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.

Vitae

EDUCATION

December 2020

Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Cumberlands

  • Major: Counselor Education & Supervision

  • CACREP accredited

  • Graduated Chi Sigma Iota

  • 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

  • Major: Applied Behavioral Studies/Licensed Counseling

  • Graduated High Honors & Phi Kappa Phi

  • Capstone research- The social, cognitive, and evolutionary psychology of membership in Caucasian hate groups.

 

May 2003

Bachelor of Arts, University of Oklahoma

  • Major: Anthropology, Minor: Psychology

  • Area of focus and capstone research in Cultural Anthropology

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

May 2023 – Present

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Texas #91590

       Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council

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April 2018 – Present

  • Board Approved LPC Supervisor, OK

       Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health

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December 2015 – Present

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), OK #5943 

       Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Fall 2022 – Present

Core Faculty, Texas Tech University HSC

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

  • Providing student advising

  • Member of multiple committees

  • Teaching virtually, asynchronously & synchronously:

    • Multicultural Counseling

    • Foundations of Counseling & Ethics

    • Couples, Marriage, & Family Counseling

    • Counseling Practicum

    • Counseling Internship

    • Psychopharmacology

    • Abnormal Behavior

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Spring 2021 – Summer 2022

Adjunct Professor, Seton Hall University

Professional & School Counseling program

  • Wrote the standardized curriculum for the Multicultural Counseling and Psychology course

  • Teaching courses asynchronously:

    • Counseling Theories

    • Counseling Skills

    • Counseling Practicum

    • Counseling Internship

 

Spring 2017 – Summer 2022

Adjunct Professor, Oklahoma City University

Applied Behavioral Studies/LPC

  • 2021 Excellence in Teaching Award for Adjunct Professor of the Year

  • Teaching courses onsite and synchronously:

    • Multicultural Counseling

    • Advanced Counseling Techniques

    • Behavior Pathology

    • Career Counseling

    • Counseling Practicum

    • Counseling Internship

    • Group Counseling

    • Marriage and Family Counseling

 

Fall 2019

Adjunct Professor, University of Central Oklahoma

Undergraduate Psychology program

  • Courses taught onsite:

    • Introduction to Psychology

 

Fall 2017

Teaching Assistant, Southern Nazarene University

Licensed Professional Counseling Program

  • Course taught in-person:

    • Professional Orientation and Ethics

 

Summer 2017

Teaching Assistant, University of the Cumberlands

Licensed Professional Counseling Program; Online

  • Course taught synchronously

    • Theories and Techniques in Treating Addictions

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

Nov 2020 – Present

Mental Health Therapist and Sole Proprietor

David Pfaff Counseling, LLC

  • Providing outpatient clinical mental health therapy to the public and licensure supervision to LPC candidates. Primary theoretical approaches include Acceptance and Commitment, Emotion-Focused, and Insight-Oriented therapies. Areas of focus: emotional regulation, trauma, grief, relationships, attachment, suicidality, self-harm, diversity, inclusion, identity, gender, and substance use.

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Aug 2017 – Jan 2021

Therapist, Center for Counseling and Well-Being

University of Central Oklahoma

  • 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 – Aug 2017

Clinical Coordinator Children’s Crisis Unit & Therapist

Red Rock Behavioral Health Services

  • 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.

PUBLISHING

  • Werries, J., Pfaff, D.S., & Bender, S. (2024) Attachment, Developmental Concerns: Trauma Treatment. In C. Stark, J. Tapia, K. Rogalla, & K. Bunch (Eds.) Professionals' Guide to Trauma-Informed Decision-Making. Springer Publishing.

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  • Pfaff, D.S. (2020). A Quantitative Study: The Indirect Effects of Implicit Bias on the Relationship Between Participant Social-Group Affiliation and Emotional Experiences (Publication # 30568618) [Doctoral dissertation, University of the Cumberlands]. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.

 

  • Manuscript accepted (publishing winter 2024/2025). Book chapter: Transtheoretical Model Stages of Change. In B. Owenby (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Mental Health Training.

 

  • Manuscript accepted (publishing winter 2024/2025): Book chapter: Insight Therapy. In B. Owenby (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Mental Health Training.

 

  • Manuscript accepted (publishing winter 2024/2025): Book chapter: Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. In B. Owenby (Ed.). Encyclopedia of Mental Health Training.

 

  • Manuscript accepted (deadline spring 2024/2025). Book chapter: The University of Rhode Island Change Assessment. In B. Owenby (Ed.).  Encyclopedia of Mental Health Training.

 

  • Manuscript in progress (deadline spring 2024). Book chapter: Emotion Focused Therapy. In B. Owenby (Ed.).  Encyclopedia of Mental Health Training.

Vitae

MEDIA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • 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 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

Vitae

CONFERENCES &PRESENTATIONS

  • June 2024. Emotion/Emotionally Focused Therapy 101: An Introduction to EFT. NorthCare Behavioral Health. 3hr CEU. NorthCare Behavioral Health.

 

  • April 2024. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 201: From approach to application. 3hr CEU. NorthCare Behavioral Health.

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  • Jan 2024. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 101: From paradox to approach. 3hr CEU. NorthCare Behavioral Health.

 

  •  Nov 2023. Attachment, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Best Practices. 7hr CEU. Restore Behavioral Health.

 

  • Oct 2023. Family and Relationship Therapy: A Primer for APRNs. Kramer School of Nursing APRN Program, OKCU.

 

  • June 2021. Setting Boundaries & Self-care. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar, Oklahoma City, OK.

 

  • Jan 2020. Self-care and stress management during the pandemic U.S. Social Security Administration.

 

  • Oct 2020. Mental wellness and stigma in the workplace. World Mental Health Day, Root Insurance Company, national meeting, Atlanta, GA.

 

  • Feb 2016. Updated - Examining the intensifying concern of Caucasian hate groups within the US using a multidisciplinary psychological approach. Oklahoma Counseling Association Mid-Winter Conference.

 

  • Feb 2014. Examining the intensifying concern of Caucasian hate groups within the US using a multidisciplinary psychological approach. Oklahoma Counseling Association Mid-Winter Conference.

Vitae

PEER REVIEWS

  • Apr 2024: The Mind Delusion, How It Arises and Why it’s Here to Stay, book published by Cambridge University Press.

 

  • Mar 2024: Knowledge Doesn’t Exist & Other Thoughts on Critical Thinking, book published by Cambridge University Press.

 

  • Jan 2024: Forgiveness, Resentment, Well-Being, and College Student Substance Use in Southern Appalachia and West Texas, article in Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly.

 

  • Dec 2023: Makerspace Counseling for Health and Wellness: Creativity in Action, book published by Cognella, Inc.

 

  • Jan 2023: Staying ALERT to Suicide: A Clinician’s Guide to Suicide Assessment and Healing from Client Suicide, book published by Roman & Littlefield Publishing.

 

  • Mar 2022: Modern Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy , book published by Roman & Littlefield Publishing.

 

  • May 2017: Theories and Therapies, Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy in Context and Practice (3rd ed.) by Rita and John Sommers-Flanagan

Vitae

COMMUNITY

  • ​March 2022: Consultant and subject matter expert.  Psychological support for Ukraine, virtual​​​

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  • August 2021: Preceptor for the Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner program, Oklahoma City University.​​

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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.  â€‹â€‹

Vitae

AWARDS

2021 Excellence in Teaching Award

  • Center for Excellence in Learning and Education, Oklahoma City University

 

2012 & 2013 Innovation Award

  • University of Oklahoma Outreach

Vitae

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Counseling Association

 

  • Oklahoma Counseling Association

 

  • Oklahoma Association for Multicultural Counseling & Development

 

  • Alpha Eta National Honors Society, Faculty

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  • Chi Sigma Iota National Honors Society, Counseling Academics & Professionals.

 

  • Phi Kappa Phi National Honors Society

contact

CONTACT

Dr. David Pfaff, PhD, LPC​

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