About Me
David Akva
I’m passionate about helping people strengthen their connections—not just with loved ones and family, but also with friends and the world around them. Life’s challenges and old wounds can weigh heavily, but with the right support, healing and growth become possible.
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With years of experience in the field of psychology and self-improvement, I provide practical yet profound tools and frameworks to help you understand yourself deeply and navigate life’s complexities with confidence.
My Professional Journey
My path into this work began with a challenging upbringing. Early on, I promised myself I would help others avoid some of the pain I experienced. I’ve always been drawn to deep conversations and searching for meaning, and I longed for genuine connection — something that still drives me today.
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After high school, I spent several years in Yeshiva before earning my bachelor’s degree and continuing to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, where I specialized in clinical practice and interdisciplinary teamwork. I became an LCSW-C, a certified supervisor, and later founded a group private therapy practice in the U.S.
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I’m trained in EMDR and CBT and integrate approaches inspired by Somatic Experiencing, Hakomi, IFS and Parts-Work, Authentic Movement, Reichian Therapy, Relational Life Therapy, and experiential couples work. Years of personal therapy and supervision in somatic modalities deeply shaped how I practice.
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Over time, I’ve worked with teens, adults, couples, and families — helping clients break free from patterns that held them back. Some stopped self-harming after years of struggle. Others reprocessed painful memories and found relief. Many who felt weighed down by depression rediscovered meaning and motivation. Clients exploring psychedelics used preparation and integration to gain clarity.
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Before private practice, I spent over a decade serving the Baltimore Jewish community, including seven years leading weekly psychoeducation groups for teens, often addressing difficult topics head-on.
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In 2025, I moved to Israel with my wife to raise our family and become part of this rich and unique community. Life here brings its own challenges — from the pressures soldiers face, to the deep commitments of yeshiva students, and the ongoing stress many experience living in this land. I’m here to support those navigating these demands, helping you find grounding, connection, and resilience so you can meet life’s challenges with strength, calm, and clarity.
My Approach and Techniques
Healing is most effective when it addresses the whole person—that’s why I’ve combined methods that work with the mind, body, and spirit.
Mind
You are not your thoughts — so how do you truly know yourself, make decisions, or trust what feels real? I use CBT, mindfulness, meditation, and IFS parts work to help organize your thoughts, clarify your decisions, and prevent your mind from hijacking your sense of self. This way, you gain control over your inner dialogue and build mental clarity.
Body
The body holds emotions and memories in ways words alone can’t reach. You’re not your emotions either — but learning to listen to your body’s signals is key. Here, you’ll train to follow your gut, regulate emotions, and tolerate distress. I use EMDR to reprocess trauma stored in the body, alongside experiential therapy and Hakomi so healing happens through experience, not just talk. Somatic Experiencing teaches you how your nervous system flows through freeze, fight, and flight states, while Authentic Movement and Reichian therapy help release stuck energy, restore confidence, and bring positive flow to your body.
Spirit
Spirit connects you to what’s beyond mind and body — your relationship to God (or your understanding of something greater), to others, and to the world around you. Whether you’re spiritual, agnostic, or atheist, this dimension matters. Drawing from Existential Psychology (Irvin Yalom), Relational Life Therapy (Terry Real), and Experiential Couples Work (Hakomi), I help you build meaningful connection with yourself, others, and the larger environment — whatever that means for you.
So, What Should You Actually Expect in Therapy?
Focused support that meets you where you are and moves at your pace.
We work together to understand what’s holding you back and build practical tools for lasting change. Healing is a process — sometimes steady, sometimes messy — but always real and rooted in your experience.
When you’re ready, I’ll be here to help you navigate the ups and downs and find your own path forward.