David Marks

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 

Clinical Director 

Pronouns: He/Him

Therapeutic Style: Relational, Emotional, and Hard-working

Services Provided:

• Adult Individual Therapy
• Adult Family Therapy
• Couples and Relationships Counseling
• Men's Groups

Who I am as a Therapist

When I was a young adult I met with a therapist for the first time and after having a successful experience, I thought that this was the profession for me. Initially, I wasn’t able to immediately follow this path and stayed in a different profession for a while but ultimately made the change in midlife. After a lot of soul searching, I transitioned to a new career as a counselor. Are you facing a life transition or some difficulty that you can’t seem to get through on your own? So many times we try to tough it out or not burden others but life can be a difficult and challenging endeavor at times.  I believe that everyone can benefit from sitting with a person that truly listens and understands. My job is to be that person who truly listens and understands you!

People seek therapy for all types of scenarios ranging from the traumatic and extremely difficult to relationship improvement or premarital counseling. The best place to deal with these unique life challenges is in a safe place. The basis of any good counseling experience is establishing a safe space for a positive relationship between the therapist and the client. In the safe space of this relationship, you can explore all the unique things that bring you to counseling.

Couples and families present unique challenges that require me to have a “beginner’s mind” approach and the awareness that no two situations are alike. I have solid training in a client-centered perspective but also believe that any approach must be tailored to the uniqueness of each client. With my background as an educator, I am well versed in multiple theoretical perspectives and am happy to discuss any particular choice and work together to address any concerns or needs. The mentoring that I received from that original counseling experience and relationship is a foundational piece for the person I am today. I am excited about this work and welcome your call.

Areas of Focus

Therapeutic Approaches 

• Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Attachment Based Therapy
• Cognitive Therapy
• Compassionate Communication (NVC)
• Dreamwork/Jungian Therapy
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Existential Humanism
• Intergenerational Family Therapy
• Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS)
• Interpersonal Neurobiology
• Mindfulness
• Psychodynamic
• Relational Life Therapy (RLT)

Training & Experience  

• 15 years of successful clinical experience in private practice working with individuals, couples and families
• Taught in the field of Counseling Psychology at California State University, Bakersfield
• Clinical Supervisor
• Clinical Director at Family Ties Counseling Center