About the Founder

Managing Principal

David M. Harris, MSW, LCSW

 

I founded Positive By Design LLC to create a strategic network of independent clinicians and coaches skilled in several aspects of overall well-being - mind, body, and spirit. It has been my desire to have a trusted referral base to meet many of the needs of particularly the St. Louis region. Each of my associates are highly skilled and unique in their promotion of well-being. We all believe that Positive Design, as an overarching concept, is beneficial to well-being.

 

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker offering brief and extended therapy to adolescents, adults, couples, families, and groups. I have been working with clients in various settings for 20+ years. I have both a BA and MSW (#1 in the Nation!) degree from Washington University in St. Louis, and a graduate certificate in Advanced Strategic Human Resource Management from Cornell University. I have spent most of my clinical years practicing both privately and in school settings in the metro St. Louis area. Most of my experience in education has been as a district administrator, and my leadership was primarily centered around student services, educational equity/diversity/social justice, community engagement, and technology-based service delivery.

 

My mission as a therapist is to promote healing, positive ways of balancing, and joy in daily living. I cherish the opportunity to learn, teach, support, and challenge through my client's greatest hardships and most brilliant moments. My style is interactive and supportive, yet challenging. I emphasize an eclectic approach, adapting a variety of therapeutic approaches that focus on my clients' daily interactions. I also specialize in performance or leadership coaching for athletes, educators, and business executives.

 

Additional work/interests:

I love sports and education. I have been a local football, basketball, and track & field coach/consultant for over 25 years. I specialize in supporting life and sport balance while using therapeutic methods to enhance thoughts and beliefs that positively affect performance-"mental agility & resilience". I am currently a preferred provider through both the NFLPA (National Football League Players' Association) Clinician Directory, and their partnership with Cigna. I also have been vetted to provide services for elite athletes, through my participation on the United States Olympic/Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Mental Health Registry.

 

I speak for various organizations and institutions on a variety of subjects including clinical topics, relationships, educational equity, sports coaching techniques, and mental training. I also facilitate workshops and consult with schools and organizations on DEI (diversity/equity/inclusion) practices.