Skip navigation
David Savinsky, Ph.D.

David Savinsky, Ph.D.

Regent University’s adjunct professors are rigorously selected so that they help students grow in knowledge and faith. These professors, who teach on a contractual basis, must be dedicated to Christ-centered teaching and learning; have a record of or potential for academic scholarship; possess the ability to teach undergraduate-level and/or graduate-level courses, and embrace Regent’s Identity and Mission statements and subscribe to a statement of Christian faith.

Bio

Dr. David Savinsky is a licensed professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a certified substance abuse counselor. He received his B.A. in Psychology & Sociology from Virginia Wesleyan College, his M.A. in Community/Clinical Psychology from Norfolk State University, and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from Regent University.

He vows that a guiding theme for his life is relationship, the positive aspects of being healed in his own relationships, and the immense power of how relationship heals others through therapy and counseling. As the educator Jon Kabat-Zinn says of mindfulness, “Paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally,” is an important aspect of relationship, which Savinsky strives to implement in his own practice. Savinsky has been in private practice in Virginia Beach since 2003, working as a psychotherapist with adolescents, adults, families, substance abuse, depression, anxiety and additional clinical symptomology.

Savinsky believes that the challenge of being authentic in treatment is no better represented than by treating teenagers and families. His search for effective treatment led to Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to treat teenagers and families. This approach has integrated well in how he understands relationships and how to develop peace by utilizing mindfulness.

Credentials

Ph.D. Counselor Education & Supervision, Regent University M.A. Community/Clinical Psychology, Norfolk State University B.A. Psychology & Sociology, Virginia Wesleyan College Licensure/Certification: Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor

Publications

Impellizzeri, J., Savinsky, D. M., King, J. & Leitch-Alford, L. (2017) (in press). Conceptual mapping task: An effective verification tool for qualitative counseling research. Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation.

Savinsky, D. M. (2016). Authoritative parenting. In John Carlson and Shannon Dermer (Ed.’s), Encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couple counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Savinsky, D. M. (2016). Parent-adolescent relations. In John Carlson and Shannon Dermer (Ed.’s), Encyclopedia of marriage, family, and couple counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.

Savinsky, D. M. (2012). Treatment of adolescent substance abuse and family cohesiveness using modified Dialectical Behavior Therapy. (Doctoral Dissertation). Available from ProQuest Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3528733).

Affiliations

2002 – Present American Counseling Association (ACA)
2007 – Present Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES)
2012 – Present American Association for Marriage & Family Therapists (AAMFT)
2012 – Present Southern Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (SACES)
2007 – Present International Association of Addictions and Offender Counseling
(IAAOC)
2014 – Present International Association of Marriage & Family Counselors (IAMFC)
2009 – Present Chi Sigma Iota – Alpha Omega Lambda Chapter
2012 – Present Virginia Counselors Association (VCA)