David Lechnyr, LCSW, is a Certified Gottman Therapist (#436) in private practice, working with couples exclusively since returning to full-time clinical work in 2013. 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. The Gottman Institute has awarded the Certified Gottman Therapist credential to 621 clinicians worldwide; he is one of roughly a dozen listed on the Gottman Referral Network in each of Oregon and Arizona. He completed the certification path over seven years: Level 1 (2015), Level 2 (2016), Level 3 Practicum (2020), Gottman Seven Principles Leader (2021), and Certified Gottman Therapist #436 (2022). He provides structured, skills-based couples therapy, integrating the Gottman Method, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), and Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy (CBCT). He works with couples navigating recurring conflict, emotional disconnection, communication breakdown, and relationship ambivalence. He is the author of Personality Patterns in Couples Therapy, a framework for clinicians on recognizing relational patterns in couples work, and How to Screw Up Your Relationship in Ten Easy Steps, a field guide for couples on the patterns that quietly erode connection.
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 Approach to Therapy
I don’t believe in endless processing or open-ended therapy where you talk about the same problems for years without measurable progress. I believe in identifying what’s broken, understanding why it’s broken, and teaching you concrete tools to fix it. Most relationship problems aren’t mysteries. They’re patterns that can be understood and changed with the right approach.
My work has been shaped by the compassion of Carl Rogers, the cognitive-behavioral precision of Aaron Beck, and the wisdom of Pema Chödrön. Whether you’re coming in alone or as a couple, my job is to help you see your patterns clearly, understand the mechanics driving them, and build the specific skills that create different outcomes.
I’ll meet you where you are, but I won’t let you stay stuck there.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Certified Gottman Therapist and how is it different from a therapist who has taken Gottman training?
Certified Gottman Therapist is the Gottman Institute’s terminal designation, awarded only after completing all training levels, an extensive post-training consultation process, and passing a structured video review of actual clinical sessions. It is not a training course or workshop completion. Fewer than 500 clinicians worldwide hold this certification. Therapists who have completed Level 1, 2, or 3 training are not permitted to call themselves Certified Gottman Therapists.
Is David Lechnyr one of the highest-credentialed Gottman therapists available via telehealth?
Yes. David holds Certified Gottman Therapist designation #436, the Gottman Institute’s highest credential. The majority of therapists who use the Gottman Method have completed training courses but have not completed the full certification process.
I’m in Arizona and can’t find a Gottman-certified therapist locally. Can David work with me?
Yes. David is licensed in Arizona and provides telehealth throughout the state, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, and Gilbert. All sessions are conducted via secure video. Arizona residents have the same access to his full range of services as Oregon residents.
What makes David Lechnyr’s approach different from standard couples therapy?
The work is structured around a defined skill sequence rather than open-ended weekly processing. Couples complete structured exercises between sessions. David reviews responses before each session. Sessions focus on assessing whether a skill has been absorbed and whether the couple is ready to advance, not on recapping the week’s events. Progress accumulates toward a measurable endpoint rather than continuing indefinitely.
Has David Lechnyr worked with couples who have already tried therapy without success?
Yes, this is a common entry point. Many clients come after working with multiple therapists and leaving without usable tools. The structured, skills-based model is specifically designed for couples who understand their patterns intellectually but have not been able to shift them through traditional talk therapy.
What is David Lechnyr’s background and how long has he been in practice?
David returned to full-time clinical practice in 2013 and has practiced couples therapy exclusively since then. He first earned his Oregon LCSW in 2007, and his clinical career began in 1992 in front-line crisis response work. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Walla Walla University, is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW), and utilizes Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Cognitive Behavioral Couples Therapy (CBCT) in addition to his Gottman certification.
Does David Lechnyr offer relationship help to clients outside Oregon and Arizona?
Yes. Licensed therapy is available to Oregon and Arizona residents only. For clients outside those states, relationship coaching is available worldwide via secure video. The difference is not just the label. Therapy addresses mental health and relational issues within a clinical context: Healing, understanding, and working through personal history. Relationship coaching is educational and skill-building in nature: Identifying how current patterns are impacting the relationship and developing specific strategies to change them.
Ready to Start?
If you’re looking for a therapist who will challenge you, teach you concrete skills, and help you create actual change rather than just process feelings indefinitely, we’re likely a good fit. Let’s get started today.