David Ackerman, LISW-S, MSSA, BFA

Psychotherapist, Therapeutic Writing Coach, Documentary Filmmaker, OH

“Get into social work if you’re frustrated about inequality, injustice or oppression. It’s active, not passive.”

My graduate school internship was facilitating group, individual and family therapy in a locked, residential treatment facility for adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances. I was hooked from day one.

I combine art, music, narrative and play therapy with writing, directing and acting techniques to foster mastery of emotional regulation. What I like best about social work is the privilege of helping empower people to just be who they are, to find their own voice, and to be heard. My entire brain gets a workout every day: it’s improvisation, writing and directing and editing. And every day is more fascinating than the last.

The best part is every time I realize that there is never a dull moment in social work. It’s just an indescribable honor to be a trail guide on anybody’s journey toward becoming a more fully expressed individual.