David Perrotta
he/himLicensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Self pay costs
Out-of-pocket session costs for clients who don’t have insurance or aren’t covered by their insurance for mental health services.
Welcome! Thanks for taking the time to read my bio. Over 25 years, I’ve worked in social work, education, and human resources. I hold a BA in Psychology and Communications (1998) and an MSW (2000), both from the University of Michigan, plus an MPA (2011). My career included work as a hospice social worker, a case manager for developmentally disabled adults, HR/social work at the University of Michigan, and several years as an ESL and English Language Arts teacher. I’m now back in social work doing individual therapy, treating depression, anxiety, grief & loss, and life transitions.
Talk therapy is what we will engage in. I primarily pull from Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), positive psychology, supportive, mindfulness, and solution-focused models. Distress tolerance techniques are also taught to help regulate anxiety and depression. I encourage clients to bring one or two things to discuss.
You deserve a space where you can show up exactly as you are—without judgment, pressure, or the need to have it all figured out. Life can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate it alone. Taking care of your mental well-being is a powerful act of courage. Wherever you are, I am here to listen and support you. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed.
"As someone who has experienced depression and anxiety the majority of my life, I am able to identify evidence based therapeutic approaches that are able to help me to manage my symptoms, which in turn help me to help others."
Why did you decide to become a counselor or psychiatric provider?
I've always been a good listener since I was a teenager and it was during that time I decided that I wanted to work in a helping field.
What's one thing you wish all clients knew about therapy, mental health, or the healing process?
It's not a one and done type of treatment. Mental health stability takes consistent, conscious effort on the part of the client. I often tell clients that treatment can be seen as baby steps to the ultimate goal.
What can clients expect in their first session with you and in the early stages of therapy?
The first session will be a structured, formal intake session. The first session is to get an overall picture of what's going on and to develop treatment goals. The first couple of sessions afterwards are typically spent rapport building. Specific strategies will begin around the 4th session and afterwards.
How do you tailor therapy to meet each client’s unique needs?
What works for one client isn't going to necessarily work for another client. I always like to inquire about what has helped the client through a similar situation in the past. I also like to ask what's worked with previous therapists, as well. Gathering this information helps to build a conducive treatment plan.
- Years in practice
- 26 years
- Graduating institute
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Graduating degree
- Master of Social Work (MSW)
