Dave Zellmer, LMSW, LICSW

Dave (he/him/his) earned his Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan in 2011, and is a fully licensed clinical social worker in the State of Michigan as well as the State of Massachusetts.

Dave’s approach is relational in nature and incorporates an eclectic range of interventions including CBT, TF-CBT, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and narrative therapy. Dave believes that the therapeutic process is a journey where client and practitioner work together collaboratively to achieve the client’s goals through a strengths-based and client empowerment approach. Dave recognizes that each client’s strengths, needs and goals are unique and he tailors his therapeutic approach accordingly to best support each client. Dave’s clinical interests include LGBTQIA issues; providing gender-affirming therapeutic services to assist clients in accessing necessary medical care; helping clients cope with and manage ongoing mental health needs; grief, death and loss; trauma; school issues; and relationship issues.

Dave previously worked at Ozone House in Ann Arbor, MI, providing therapy services for students age 18 and older in community college and university settings, with a special focus on assisting with adjustment to college, managing emerging and/or ongoing mental health needs (most often involving anxiety, depression, bipolar and PTSD) and safely processing past and/or current traumas. Dave also worked as a family therapist at Ozone House providing strengths-based therapy services to children, adolescents, young adults and their families. Prior to earning his Master’s degree and working as a therapist, Dave was a Wraparound Care Coordinator in the city of Milwaukee where he worked with children and families using a strengths-based model of care, which he carries with him to this day in his therapeutic approach.

Dave is Kink Knowledgeable and Poly-Aware/Poly-Affirming. He believes therapy must be a safe space for clients to explore issues while acknowledging and affirming all of their intersecting identities.