David Nilsen, LCSW, IL | Psychotherapist

About David Nilsen

Focus areas

Addiction / Substance Abuse

Chronic Relapse

Men's Mental Health Issues

Anger Management

Divorce Counseling

Stress Management

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Drug Addiction

Clientele seen

Young adults (18-24)

Adults (25-64)

Couples

Treatment approaches

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Motivational Interviewing

Cognitive Processing (CPT)

Person-Centered

Dialectical (DBT)

Strength-Based

Identity

Gender

Male

Ethnicity

White

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know David Nilsen

Hi there, I'm David! I am a licensed clinical social worker with an endorsement in addiction, holding a Master’s in Social Work from Aurora University. I am dedicated to providing compassionate care and support to help you navigate your mental health journey. Using techniques such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and harm reduction, I aim to empower you with tools and resources for a brighter, healthier future. My approach My therapeutic approach starts with trust, empathy, and building an alliance. I also try to instill hope as clients work to change their environment. My focus I have experience working with veterans, active duty military personnel, and individuals suffering from PTSD, sexual trauma, addictions, anxiety, and depression. My communication style My style is designed to prevent you from belittling yourself, help you focus on word choice to better describe your situation, and improve your thought patterns with positive insight—all delivered with a dash of humor. My journey to mental healthcare My college education comes from 40 years in the school of hard knocks. For the first 20 years of my life, I struggled with undiagnosed ADHD, which made me feel like an outcast and delayed my maturation. I often believed I was not very intelligent. I started drinking in middle school and later joined the Army, where I excelled. At 36, I nearly lost my career, wife, and children due to alcohol. Fortunately, I received treatment for my addiction. After 21 years as a Combat Engineer, I retired and earned a Bachelor's degree in Education, which wasn’t a good fit. At 50, I pursued a Master’s in Social Work at Aurora University and began working with veterans facing addictions and PTSD, focusing on those with suicidal thoughts for the past two years. My journey has equipped me to help others find healing and growth, and I am dedicated to guiding individuals through their challenges.

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Popular visit reasons

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Depression

Mood Swings

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit

Therapy

Worry

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Depression

Mood Swings

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)

Education and background

Practice names

Rula Health - Illinois

Education and training

Aurora University, Master's in Social Work

NPI number

1114326998

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Frequently asked questions

How soon can I make an appointment with David Nilsen?

Generally, David Nilsen has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see David Nilsen's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

Is David Nilsen accepting new patients?

David Nilsen generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see David Nilsen's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

Does David Nilsen accept my insurance?

Choose your insurance plan to verify if David Nilsen is in-network.

Can I make an appointment with David Nilsen online?

Yes, you can make an appointment online with David Nilsen using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

What practice does David Nilsen work with?

David Nilsen works with Rula Health - Illinois.

What are common reasons for patients to see David Nilsen?

David Nilsen frequently sees patients for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for David Nilsen on their profile.