Dr. David Chang is an award-winning educator and author with over twenty years of experience in youth and adult education. Dr. Chang previously worked as a limited-term lecturer in the Faculty of Education at SFU. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals, and was awarded the Dean's Convocation Medal by Simon Fraser University in 2022.
Dr. Chang works with clients struggling from:
Stress and burn-out
Anxiety
Life-Transitions
Meaning and Spirituality
Grief and Loss
Marriage and Relationship Issues
Dr. Chang writes about the environmental crisis and their consequences on human health, physical and mental.
In Dr. Chang's own words:
Life's difficulties are often invitations to greater understanding and a deeper maturity. Every therapeutic relationship begins by building trust and rapport between client and therapist. My work starts by understanding each client's situation and context, the nuances of their histories and patterns. I take a person-centred approach to counseling, meeting clients in the midst of their struggles, so we can walk through difficulties together. Therapeutic interventions are specific to each client, given their personalities, preferences and unique histories.
I am primarily oriented in Mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Adlerian Therapy. As a practioner of Zen Buddhism for over twenty years, I bring insights from my meditation experience to my work as a counselor. Mindfulness is not about controlling the mind or managing our emotions; it is a serene encounter with inner experience. A life of committed practice cultivates an inner-landscape of gentleness and self-acceptance. Awareness is the lifeblood of personal development. Mindfulness is a fundamental practice for building self-awareness and reflective capacity, without which we struggle to change ingrained patterns.
Sometimes clients struggle with negative thoughts and limiting beliefs. In these cases, I draw on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to alter patterns of self-talk. We examine how thoughts, behavours and moods affect each other. We find ways to strengthen our agency in the midst of difficulty.
For clients struggling with low self-esteem, I draw on Adlerian Psychology to help illuminate clients' view of themselves. I encourage self-exploration while affirming their hidden strengths. For those navigating major Life Transitions, I help clients examine life tasks, identify core values, and experiment with next steps.
In couples and relationship counselling, I work with clients to identify childhood experiences that shape how we relate to others, the ways that communication is disrupted between couples. We practice new methods of communication, new ways to connect both mentally and emotionally.
I believe that good counseling therapy often reflects life's fullest offerings.
