David Adam, LSW, LCADC
Supervised by Annie Donahue, LCSW
I help adults struggling with trauma, addiction, emotional shutdown, and destructive relationship patterns understand the protective behaviors keeping them stuck so they can begin healing with more clarity, self-awareness, and stability.
Many of the clients I work with feel trapped in cycles they can’t seem to break. They may turn to substances, shut down emotionally, react with anger, avoid vulnerability, push people away, or feel constantly overwhelmed by stress and conflict. Often, these patterns create shame, frustration, and disconnection—not only from others, but from themselves.
The people I work best with are often highly self-aware on some level. They know something deeper is going on beneath the surface, but they may not fully understand why they react the way they do or why change feels difficult to sustain.
I provide telehealth therapy throughout New Jersey for adults navigating trauma, PTSD, substance use, co-occurring mental health challenges, and relational difficulties. My goal is to help you move beyond simply managing symptoms and begin understanding the deeper emotional and nervous system patterns driving them.
My Areas of Focus
Substance abuse and recovery
Trauma & PTSD
Shame, self-criticism and identity struggles
Co-occurring mental health challenges
Emotional shutdown and avoidance
Relationship conflict and attachment wounds
Emotional regulation and nervous system awareness
Anger, impulsivity and reactivity
My Approach
My work is trauma-informed, attachment-focused, and strongly influenced by parts-informed therapy and Internal Family Systems (IFS) principles.
Through a parts-informed lens, we explore the different internal roles that can develop over time—the part that shuts down, the part that becomes reactive, the part that uses substances to cope, or the part that constantly stays on guard. Rather than seeing these parts as “bad” or needing to be eliminated, therapy focuses on understanding their purpose, reducing internal conflict, and creating more balance and self-leadership.
I integrate:
Parts-informed / IFS-oriented therapy
Attachment-based therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Mindfulness & somatic practices
Experiential approaches
Trauma-informed interventions
I also incorporate breathwork, grounding techniques, and nervous system regulation practices to help clients feel safer, less reactive, and more connected in their daily lives.
My goal is to help you not only gain insight into your patterns but also develop the ability to respond to yourself and others with greater awareness, steadiness, and choice.
What It’s Like to Work with Me
My style is collaborative, direct, and grounded in curiosity. I believe therapy works best when you feel both supported and challenged in ways that promote genuine growth.
In our work together, we slow things down enough to understand what’s happening beneath the surface—not just intellectually, but emotionally and physically as well. Therapy becomes a space to notice patterns, understand emotional triggers, and develop a different relationship with the parts of yourself that may have learned to survive through anger, avoidance, substances, emotional shutdown, or control.
I approach these patterns with compassion rather than judgment. Many of the behaviors people struggle with today began as ways to adapt, survive, or protect themselves at some point in their lives. Together, we work toward understanding those protective strategies so change can happen through awareness and connection instead of shame or force.
Some sessions may focus on processing trauma or relational experiences, while others may involve grounding work, emotional regulation skills, mindfulness, or learning how to respond differently in moments of stress and conflict.
Credentials & Details
Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC)
Supervised by Annie Donahue, LCSW
Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Amerihealth
Cigna
Horizon NJ Health Medicaid
I’d be honored to support you on your journey.
