My name is David Hawkins, and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor. I am an Arkansas native. I lived in Colorado for 3 years and I love travel, but Arkansas is my home and I love the Conway community.
I have worked in community mental health and in private practice settings where I have assisted people experiencing a wide range of human problems, including phase of life/managing change adjustment issues, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, interpersonal/relationship challenges, and behavioral problems such as substance abuse, gambling addiction, and technology related (process) addictions, e.g., gambling, porn, gaming. I provide services with children age 10+ through senior adults, in individual, couples, and group counseling formats. I am a member of the American Counseling Association and the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors.
My approach to counseling is person-centered and growth oriented, meaning I want to focus on your needs, and help you identify your strengths, challenges, and the goals you would like to achieve in life so that our counseling relationship can be productive and focused. Listening well and helping people develop new ways of thinking and acting to engage life’s challenges more effectively and holistically is a passion that drives my work as a counselor. Sometimes life challenges can be addressed rather directly, and goals can be reached more quickly. At other times, it may take longer to address core issues in order to get to better place and improve life satisfaction long term. I will meet you where you are on life’s journey as we address the issues most urgent for you.
I graduated from the University of Central Arkansas with a Master’s degree in counseling, having previously obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a Master’s degree from the Iliff School of Theology (Denver, CO), both in philosophy and religion. I am familiar with many of the world’s major religions and philosophical worldviews, and I am keenly aware of how religion/spirituality can be meaningful and conducive to mental health and how some traditions/worldviews have been used in hurtful ways.
I am particularly sensitive to the special challenges faced by historically oppressed and/or underserved groups, such as those faced by immigrants, those who have experienced racism, sexism, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. I also have a passion for helping persons who are or have been involved with the criminal justice/punishment system, having worked with clients on the Federal and District judicial levels. In my work I aspire to express my commitment to healing, inclusion, and justice for all.
For fun, I enjoy going on walks in nature, reading non-fiction, traveling near and far, cooking with friends, and watching good movies.
A word to the anxious: Facing life challenges can sometimes seem overwhelming, and part of what counseling can assist with is helping break down those challenges into more manageable goals to help both get through, learn from, and grow beyond the challenges we face. Sharing personal information can be uncomfortable at first, but in the context of a working, trusting, professional counseling relationship, such sharing can promote healing and the development of new approaches to improve one’s life.
