David Engels - Therapist, Counselor

Terrible experience. As some other person said in the reviews, there are multiple red flags with working with him that, when you’re in a position of vulnerability, are hard to see. It basically took me 2 years of therapy with someone else to undo the harm done with David’s so called help. Imposing your client to pay while on vacation is just one of the many weird things I’ll give as an example.

David is fine, if you never challenge his narcissistic and ironclad directives. Thankfully, I learned after my time with him, from an actually credentialed therapist who also practices in his NDG neighborhood, that he is neither licensed nor accredited to do what he does. I was also taught by her that his professional reputation is notoriously abhorrent among his colleagues. After being gaslight and taken advantage of by him, repeatedly, when I was in a highly vulnerable state, I finally sought other counsel, in an office rather than his ground floor residential suite, which always reeked of cat and marijuana. I was deeply depressed, questioning my own judgment, and thought I didn’t deserve better care. After much deep and destructive despair, I eventually sought proper counsel, and was very relieved to learn that not only is David Engels poorly considered amongst his colleagues, he is also not justified to, or allowed to, share (as he did frequently with me), personal information (including names) nor derogatory statements about his other clients, with his current ones. I also learned that he shouldn’t have sweared at me during our sessions, nor cancelled our sessions, mid-session, whenever I (and most very seldomly) questioned his perceived absolute wisdom. Having, afterwards and for years, received credentialed care from qualified professionals to treat my severe depression and social anxiety (from his peers in NDG, who know how dangerous he is) I now feel strong enough to speak-out about how horrible, convincing, self (ego) serving and unprofessional he is. This is a dangerous man. I warn any and all vulnerable individuals to steer very clear away from David Engels. He truly set me back in my quest for stability, strength and self-awareness - and sadly, I paid him (in cash as he insists) - for many years. MASSIVE shout-out to my current therapist for her support in, and advocacy for, me finally being able to access the inner strength and courage to post this review! Thank you, J.S., from the depths of my being.

Patient and kind, but not afraid to be direct/honest. He really saved my life.