David Neal

If you're feeling stuck — wrestling with anxiety that won't quiet down, a mood that swings without warning, anger that surfaces faster than you'd like, or the weight of past trauma — you don't have to sort through it alone. I work with adults who are juggling demanding lives while quietly carrying ADHD, depression, grief, chronic pain, or relationship strain that's hard to put into words.

I came to this work after 20 years as a broadcast operations engineer. When an injury changed my path, I earned my Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and I've been a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) since 2019. I've practiced in integrated medical clinics with clients of every age, in intensive outpatient care, and in residential settings, and today I work primarily with adults over telehealth across Tennessee.

I see my role as helping you understand where your struggles come from, get clear on what you want therapy to change, and build a concrete, step-by-step plan to get there

My approach is integrative: I draw on several evidence-based tools and match them to what you're actually facing rather than forcing your experience into one model. With many clients I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to interrupt the thought patterns that fuel anxiety, low mood, and self-criticism; Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to build steadier attention and emotional regulation; and Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) to turn overwhelming situations into manageable next steps. When trauma is part of the picture, we use talk therapy to process it at a pace that feels manageable, alongside practical skills training for anger, stress, and day-to-day functioning.

My style is collaborative and down-to-earth. Early on, we'll name clear goals together, and we'll check in regularly on what's working so therapy stays focused and measurable. I believe people change when they understand the origins of their patterns and leave each session with something concrete to practice. You bring the expertise on your own life; I bring the structure and tools to help you move forward.

In our first session, I'll ask about how things are going right now — your current functioning, physical health, family history, any past treatment, and when your symptoms began — and we'll talk through what you most want therapy to change. From there, we build a plan together.

Over time, the clients I work with tend to feel less ruled by anxiety and low mood, more in control of anger and stress, and more confident in their closest relationships. You can expect a therapist who listens closely, is straightforward with you, and treats your goals as the point of the work. Progress rarely happens overnight, but with a clear focus and steady effort, you can expect to understand yourself more fully, respond to hard moments with more steadiness, and build a life that feels more like your own again.