David Goodman, PhD
Practice Director
Marital and Individuals
David Goodman, PhD has been practicing in St. Charles, Illinois for over 30 years, specializing in marital and family counseling. He earned his PhD from Northwestern University in 1979. “While my master’s degree education favored a client-centered approach, my doctoral studies and subsequent professional practice have taught me the view that the best test of anything is: Does it work?”
“I have learned that people value my directness, attention to measurable outcome, high feedback, role-playing and homework assignments. I typically use the back of my professional card to write my prescriptions. Over the years, I have discovered a few clients have saved these directives like baseball cards. I am convinced of the importance of involving significant others in the counseling process, when possible. As a psychologist, I find it a privilege to be trusted by so many people as I help them along the journey of life.”
Couple’s Counseling
“My work with couples is to help rebuild their relationship. In my professional experience, it is important to work at a level that goes beyond simply learning better communication skills. We need to get to the heart of what is troubling the couple so that their problems can be resolved. My approach is to do what will be the most effective for change. I will see the couple together and, if the situation requires it, individually. In some relationships, not everyone is ready for change or sees value in counseling. Both partners do not have to take part in counseling for it to be effective. A great deal can be accomplished when one person is willing to work at changing his or her role in the relationship. Counseling can prevent small problems from becoming serious.”
Couples need not be married to seek or benefit from counseling. Premarital counseling and post-marital or divorce counseling are helpful in navigating life’s stresses and the impact of those stresses on the relationship. Divorced couples who share children, stepchildren and extended families benefit from talking about how to manage the many relationship minefields.
