David Braun

My name is David Braun. I am a licensed clinical social worker who began my clinical work in a residential treatment setting in Colorado in the early 70s. After surviving three years of that experience, I continued my education and completed my social work graduate degree in 1978 at Loyola U. in Chicago. I subsequently completed additional training at the Institute of Psychoanalysis and a substance abuse treatment credential at Harold Washington College. My primary clinical experience is in child and adolescent therapy and collateral work w/ parents. My first twelve years of practice involved younger children. For the next twenty-four years, I was a school social worker at New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL. My roles in that setting included treatment of adolescents, collateral work with their parents, and consultation with staff. Additionally, I maintained a private practice and DUI evaluation and substance abuse treatment license. After retiring from this job in 2014, I soon became somewhat bored with retirement and returned to part-time work, primarily with older adults. I also maintained a role with Hospice of the North Shore between 2008-14.

My approach

After working as a child and adolescent therapist for almost 40 years, I would describe my approach as psychodynamic, solution-focused, and eclectic. One of my roles at the high school was coordinator of a peer mediation program. This work involved acquiring training and skills in methods of seeking resolution of conflict and managing problems. I then was involved in training students in these methods and supervising the work of facilitating conflict resolution with their peers. This experience has influenced my approach e.g., in working with couples. My preferred method in couples work is to begin by meeting with each partner individually, e.g., for three sessions. My purpose is to gain a sense of the causes of distress and dysfunction in the relationship and each partner's agenda and hopes for a resolution. Before beginning our three-way attempt at addressing and resolving issues, it is hoped that some sense of comfort, understanding, and alliance will have developed.

My focus

I loved my work with adolescents and would look forward to returning to involvement with this population. I would also be interested in seeing adults and couples.

My communication style

I would describe my approach as client-centered and solution-focused. As noted previously, my approach has been influenced by my psychodynamic training, mediation experience, and work with a wide range of age groups.

My journey to mental healthcare

My own life journey and struggle with my own losses and challenges influenced my choice of professional path. My first experience in the field was in a residential treatment setting- "trial by fire", in my early 20's. I was a residential therapist in a cottage of 12-15 children and adolescents for 3-4 days at a time. I learned a lot in this role. A key takeaway was that there was much to learn, and this led me to my graduate education. I learn best experientially, and I am hopeful that my 45 years of experience since graduate school will enable me to be helpful to you in meeting your goals.

My goals for you

A successful outcome in counseling typically requires that clients feel that problem issues have reached some resolution, they feel better about themselves, and they have acquired some tools and the confidence that they can continue to regulate tensions and manage issues on their own.

My first session with you

The first session is exploratory. I will try to meet you where you are without judgment and hopefully end the session with a collective sense of what you are looking for in the work. I would like to create some preliminary goals for how we will proceed together, and I would hope that you feel that I respect who you are and your capacity to guide the work and pursue your own goals. I want you to feel that you are in charge and directing the process and that I am open to hearing your wishes and feedback.