Dave Thornsen, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist
Not accepting new patients at this time.
Dr. David Thornsen is a licensed psychologist in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He works individually with adult men and women and also specializes in marriage counseling. Dave received his doctorate degree in psychology in 2002 from Wheaton College. He has practiced in Grand Rapids ever since. Dave is able to participate with most insurances.
Dave works with adult men and adult women on any sort of issue they bring to therapy, and about one third of his caseload at any given time is couples. “I have come to see that my role is to help people look at things differently. We can focus on changing behaviors, thoughts, or feelings, but those changes tend to last only a few weeks. If we focus on a shift in perspective then once that shift is achieved, everything else – feelings, thoughts, behaviors — falls into place.”
His proven approach to couples-work focuses on a common dynamic most couples experience when having difficulty communicating or getting along. When one partner would rather talk about it and the other would rather let it go, communication breaks down in a way that hurts both partners. His approach targets this dynamic to produce lasting change.
“I use psychology and coaching techniques to teach couples about why relationships breakdown and help them learn more effective ways of coping together that will work well for both of them.”
If spiritual concerns are part of your issues Dr. Thornsen also has a Masters degree in Theology that he earned at Wheaton College. “Our physical, emotional and spiritual beings are intertwined. That is why it often makes the most sense for us to focus on all three when we are trying to grow and change.”
Issues
- Anger
- Anxiety / Depression
- Blended Families
- Divorce / Separation
- Domestic Abuse
- Grief and Loss
- Intimacy and Relationships
- Men’s Issues
- Parenting Support
- Sexual Abuse
- Sexuality
- Spirituality
- Stress Management / Coping
- Trauma / PTSD
- Women’s Issues
Special Services
- Life Coaching at Step Ahead Coaches
- Marriage Counseling
- Psychotherapy supervision
Dave believes the reason he is effective over a variety of presenting issues is because of his approach. He will tell you that the focus of his work is to help people find a new perspective on their situation: “We can focus on changing behaviors, thoughts, or feelings, but those changes tend to last only a few weeks. If we focus on a shift in perspective then once that shift is achieved, everything else — feelings, thoughts, behaviors — fall into place.”
Contact Dave Thornsen
Call GR Therapy Group at (616) 591-9000, or send a message.