Dr. David Charny

Dr. Dave is a clinical psychologist and received his doctorate from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM). In addition to working as a psychotherapist at The Postpartum Stress Center, Dr. Dave is a full-time Primary Care Psychologist at Main Line Health. An experienced psychotherapist, Dr. Dave works from a cognitive-behavioral therapy lens with an emphasis on mindfulness-based approaches, especially acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Prior to his work at Main Line Health, Dr. Dave worked in the same capacity at Cooper University Health Care, Christiana Care Health System and Crozer-Keystone Center for Family Health. Through his work in healthcare, Dr. Dave has always supported women’s health issues, for example; working with pregnant women managing chronic diseases, facilitating a support group for breast cancer survivors, and providing grief counseling for patients with pregnancy loss and infant loss. With an emphasis on incorporating an understanding of the social context into personalized clinical interventions. During the pandemic, Dr. Dave and his wife, Hannah, welcomed their first son, Ravi to the world. It was through this experience, that his commitment to working with pre- and postnatal women and their partners was strengthened and solidified. He is further guided by his mindfulness meditation training and practice, in his deeper understanding of the inherently non-medical experience of birth.

With the decision to bring a new life into the world comes a shift in consciousness and reality that is both beautiful and terrifying. There are significant needs that arise at every step of this journey that are often so different for every couple and every experience. The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in DistressTM, developed by Karen Kleiman, MSW, LCSW, resonates deeply with me for it’s emphasis on embodied presence in the release of authentic suffering, which can be so often invalidated in women going through this process. It is deeply meaningful to be witness to the incredible strength of women, finding ways to provide support and, perspective when necessary. Additionally, bringing validation and appreciation for the adjacent experiences of partners, family and caregivers during such times when we are pushed to the limits of our capacity and exceed them.