Dr. David McAnallen

You don't have to arrive with a clear diagnosis or a perfectly worded explanation of what's wrong. Most people I work with come in knowing something feels stuck — a relationship that keeps hitting the same wall, anxiety that sits just below the surface, attention patterns that are costing them at work or at home, or a grief they haven't had permission to fully feel.

I'm David McAnallen, a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania with more than 30 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families. My approach is integrative, meaning I don't use a one-size-fits-all method. I use what the evidence says works — CBT, EMDR, Gottman Method for couples, solution-focused strategies, and mindfulness practices — and I adapt it to fit you.Clients often tell me they appreciate that our sessions feel collaborative, not clinical. We'll build on what's already working in your life, and we'll address the patterns that aren't. If you're using Aetna, Highmark, Cigna, Capital Blue Cross, or Independence Blue Cross, I'm in-network — so coverage typically isn't a barrier to getting started.

My approach starts with a simple premise: you already have strengths — we just need to find and build on them. Rather than spending sessions revisiting what's wrong, we spend time understanding the patterns underneath the symptoms and developing practical strategies to shift them.

I integrate several evidence-based frameworks depending on what you bring to sessions. For anxiety, rumination, and behavioral patterns, I lean on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). For trauma — including relational trauma and experiences that haven't fully processed — I use EMDR, which has strong research support for producing meaningful change, often more quickly than traditional talk therapy alone. For couples, I draw from the Gottman Method and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to improve communication, reduce reactivity, and rebuild connection.

Mindfulness and somatic awareness inform my work too — not as a stand-alone practice, but as tools that support emotional regulation and self-awareness between sessions. Sessions are direct, warm, and results-oriented. I won't let us drift — we'll know what we're working toward and track progress along the way.

The first session is a real conversation — not a form-filling exercise. I'll ask about what's bringing you in, what you've already tried, and what you'd most like to be different in your life. You don't need to have it all figured out before we meet.By the end of that first session, we'll have a clear sense of whether we're a good fit, a rough direction for our work together, and a sense of what "better" could actually look like for you. I'll be direct — if I think a different provider or modality would serve you better, I'll tell you that honestly.Sessions are 60 minutes, conducted via telehealth anywhere in Pennsylvania. I'm in-network with most major insurers in the state. You can book directly through Headway, and I typically have availability within the week.