Dave Rich ’92 Explores the Continuing Impact of the Pandemic on our Mental Health

The conversation began by exploring Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Parent Management Training (PMT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). “I think that strict behavioral therapy can be exhausting, and when you add this flexibility component to it, and ask yourself, ‘What can I accept?’ and ‘What kind of emotions I can accept?’, it actually allows for more change to happen because it takes the pressure off… People respond really well to it.”

 

Dave counsels adolescents, adults, and families using various therapeutic modalities and suggests in a pandemic, mindfulness becomes even more vital. “If people are feeling extreme fear, it’s really important to listen to that and ask, ‘What is the most effective thing to do?’” Dave stressed acknowledging that fear and determining where to go from here is critical in finding a path toward normalcy.

 

Dave earned his master’s degree from Columbia University School of Social Work in 2016 with completion of the DBT training program and lab under Dr. Andre Ivanoff, Ph.D.

He recently opened a new Baltimore-based practice, where he provides DBT therapy to adolescents, adults, and families. His previous work experience includes two New York City group private practices and lead mental health worker at Sheppard Pratt Health System, where he was part of an inpatient crisis stabilization team for adolescent males.

Dave also works as an adjunct professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work teaching first-year graduate students.  

 

To watch Dave’s full talk, click here.