David Graham

I am pleased that you are considering entering into a professional counseling relationship with me. To enhance the importance of trust, I want to share with you my professional beliefs, background, and, most importantly, your rights. Counseling is conducted in various ways, depending on the counselor. As my client, you have the right to know my qualifications, methods, and mutual expectations of our professional relationship. The information presented here is provided to help you decide if my services are suitable for your needs at this time. Please discuss any questions or concerns you may have before we begin our session.

Qualifications:
I obtained my Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2009. I am licensed in the state of North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHCS - #8329) by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors (NCBLCMHC). Additionally, I am a National Board of Certified Counselors (NCC - #227001).

Additionally, to keep current with various changes in the field of Counseling and mental health, I maintain memberships in numerous professional associations including, the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the American College Counseling Association (ACCA), the North Carolina Counseling Association (NCCA). As a professional counselor, I adhere to the ethical codes put forth by the American Counseling Association in 2014.

As it pertains to years working in the counseling field, I have worked as a professional counselor for over 20 years and have experience working in a variety of settings. I have worked in the field of academic/school counseling, mental health counseling, private practice, and college/university counseling. For the past 13 years I have served on the Counseling staff at Davidson College.

Counseling Background:
Counseling is a collective effort between the individual and the counselor to help the individual draw from their natural strength and resources to accomplish a personal desire or goal. I believe that individuals come to Counseling because they are seeking something to be different in their lives. They may want to change their personal or family situation, solve a problem, or bring about a healthier balance in their lives. It is in the counseling process that individuals, families, and couples have a safe and nurturing environment to self-examine very challenging and sometimes painful issues to bring about change.

My area of experience has been with individuals within the area of Anger Management, Anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder, Border Personality, Chemical Dependence, Dependency, Depression, Grief/Loss, Intimate Relationship Conflicts, Low Self- Esteem, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and other traumatic events. Additionally, my experience includes working with individuals, families, adults, adolescents, persons of color, and couples.

Confidentiality:
All of our communication becomes part of the clinical record, which is accessible to you upon request. I will keep confidential anything you say as part of our counseling relationship, with the following exceptions: (a) you direct me in writing to disclose information to someone else, (b) it is determined you are a danger to yourself or others (including child or elder abuse), (c) I am ordered by a court to disclose information, (d) If you desire to seek reimbursement from a managed care company, the disclosure of confidential information may be required for reimbursement, (e) In case of a Medical Emergency, or (f) These rights are waived if accusations of misconduct are brought.

However, even under these circumstances, only essential information will be revealed, and as much as possible, you will be informed before confidentiality is broken. In the event, the client is a minor, parents or legal guardians may be included in the counseling process as appropriate. Still, measures will be taken to safeguard confidentiality, always acting in the best interest of the client.