About David Lechnyr, LCSW

David Lechnyr, LCSW is a Certified Gottman Therapist (#436), one of fewer than 500 clinicians worldwide to earn this designation from the Gottman Institute. He is licensed in Oregon (L4134) by the Oregon Board of Licensed Social Workers and in Arizona (LCSW-17754) by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. He provides couples and individual therapy via telehealth from his office in Eugene, Oregon. He also offers relationship coaching worldwide for non-clinical issues.

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Couples Therapy & Relationship Counseling

David Lechnyr, LCSW, is a Certified Gottman Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice with over 18 years of clinical experience working with couples and individuals on relationship-focused concerns.

His work focuses on couples therapy, discernment counseling, and structured relationship education, helping couples move from entrenched conflict patterns toward concrete, research-based skills they can apply in real time. Rather than emphasizing insight alone, his approach centers on observable interaction patterns and practical change strategies grounded in the Gottman Method.

David’s writing translates couples therapy research into direct, accessible language for partners who understand their patterns intellectually but struggle to shift them in the moment. He is the author of Personality Patterns in Couples Therapy: A Relational Framework for Understanding Personality Disorders, and regularly publishes educational articles on couples communication, conflict management, and relationship repair.

Why I Became a Therapist

I come from a family of mental health professionals: My wife is a therapist, two of my sisters work in the field, and my father is a retired psychologist. But what drew me to this work wasn’t family legacy. It was witnessing how much unnecessary pain people carry when they don’t have the right tools to address their patterns.

I’ve seen couples on the brink of divorce transform their relationships by learning skills they were never taught. I’ve watched individuals break free from cycles that have controlled them for decades once they understood the mechanics and had concrete strategies for change.

I believe everyone can change and grow, but only when they’re willing to examine their patterns honestly and do the hard work of building new ones. My job is to provide the structure, tools, and accountability that make that change possible.

My Core Beliefs About Relationships and Change

• Honesty matters more than comfort. I’ll tell you what I observe, even when it’s difficult to hear, because sugar-coating problems doesn’t solve them.
• Structure accelerates progress. Clear frameworks, specific skills, and measurable goals produce better outcomes than unstructured processing.
• Compassion and accountability aren’t opposites. I can hold space for your pain while simultaneously challenging you to take responsibility for your part in creating it.
• Most relationship problems can be solved. They’re not mysterious or unfixable. They’re patterns maintained by specific behaviors that can be identified and changed with the right approach.
• You don’t need years of therapy. You need the right tools, consistent practice, and someone who won’t let you avoid the work.

Training, Credentials, and Clinical Background

My training includes advanced coursework in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through the Beck Institute for treating anxiety, depression, and personality disorders. I’m trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) for addressing internal conflicts that interfere with relationships, and I use DBT-informed approaches for emotional regulation.

I’m a Certified Gottman Therapist, one of only 13 in Oregon and one of 13 in Arizona to complete the full certification process. Gottman Method Certification requires extensive training beyond standard licensure, comprehensive examination, ongoing clinical consultation, and demonstrated competency in applying the method. This isn’t a weekend workshop. It’s years of specialized study in relationship science based on 50 years of research studying thousands of couples.

I integrate research-based tools with practical implementation strategies, especially in couples therapy where structure and clarity matter most. I hold a Master’s degree in Social Work from Walla Walla University and am a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).

Professional Training & Certifications:

• Certified Gottman Therapist: Couples therapy based on over 50 years of research
• Beck Institute: CBT for Anxiety, Depression, and Personality Disorders
• Internal Family Systems (IFS) Training
• Motivational Interviewing and DBT-informed strategies for emotional resilience
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Oregon and Arizona
• Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) member

When We Work Together

Whether you’re coming in as a couple or individually, here’s what you can expect:

• Direct feedback. I’ll tell you what I observe in your patterns, even when it’s uncomfortable. You deserve honesty, not passive agreement.
• Structured sessions. Each session has purpose and builds toward specific goals. We’re not just talking. We’re working.
• Concrete skills. You’ll leave with specific techniques you can practice immediately, not vague suggestions to “communicate better.”
• Accountability. I’ll hold you to what you commit to between sessions. Progress requires follow-through, and I’ll call you out when you’re avoiding the work.
• Respect for your time and investment. Therapy is expensive. I take that seriously. My goal is to help you see measurable progress as efficiently as possible.