Dr. David L. Pennington
ABOUT
Professional expertise. Human connection. Personalized care.
Many people seek therapy when life feels heavier than it should—when familiar coping patterns stop working, or something deeper seems to block the life they want.
My goal is to create a grounded, compassionate space where you can make sense of these experiences, explore new perspectives, and move toward lasting change.
I’m Dr. David L. Pennington, a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 15 years of experience in clinical, academic, and healthcare settings. Before founding Melantha Health, I provided therapy, led assessment programs, and trained clinicians within large medical and research systems. Those experiences strengthened my belief in the power of evidence-based care—but also showed me how true healing requires flexibility, trust, and a human connection that can be hard to foster in institutional settings. I founded Melantha Health to offer care that is personalized, science-informed, and human-centered.
Who I Help & What I Treat
My practice focuses on helping adults navigate trauma, substance use and recovery, mood and anxiety concerns, identity development, and major life transitions. I also conduct psychological assessments to clarify diagnoses, identify strengths, and guide treatment planning—including specialized evaluations for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder, as well as targeted assessments for diagnostic clarification.
My Therapeutic Approach
My therapeutic approach integrates trauma-informed care, third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and relational psychodynamic principles. I emphasize collaboration, curiosity, and respect for each person’s pace of growth. Sessions blend structured skill-building with deeper reflection—balancing the science of behavior change with the art of understanding oneself.
What Working Together Feels Like
Clients often describe our work together as practical, reflective, and grounding. You can expect to feel seen and supported while also challenged to approach your goals from new angles. For some, that means developing new ways to manage emotions or cravings; for others, it involves untangling long-standing patterns in relationships, identity, or self-concept.
Begin the Conversation
If you’re ready to begin—or simply want to learn more about therapy or assessment options—I invite you to reach out. Taking that first step doesn’t commit you to anything; it simply opens the door to a conversation about what healing and clarity might look like for you.
Therapeutic Approaches
Trauma-informed therapy
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and Prolonged Exposure (PE) for trauma recovery
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Relational psychodynamic therapy
Mindfulness-based and emotion regulation skill training
Collaborative, assessment-informed treatment
Areas of Treatment
Trauma recovery and post-traumatic stress
Substance use and recovery support
Anxiety and mood disorders
Identity development and life transitions
Relationship and interpersonal challenges
Burnout and stress-related issues
Diagnostic clarification and treatment planning
Adult ADHD and Autism Spectrum evaluations
Research-Informed Clinical Care
My clinical work is informed by a career at the intersection of psychotherapy, psychological assessment, addiction treatment, cognitive neuroscience, and behavioral health research. Before founding Melantha Health, I spent more than a decade in clinical, research, and training roles at the San Francisco VA Health Care System and the University of California, San Francisco, where I provided care, led assessment programs, trained clinicians, and contributed to federally funded research focused on substance use, trauma, cognition, neuroimaging, and digital mental health innovation.
This background helps me approach therapy and assessment with both clinical depth and scientific humility. I value evidence-based methods, but I also recognize that meaningful care has to be individualized, collaborative, culturally responsive, and grounded in each person’s lived experience.
For clients, this means our work is not based on a one-size-fits-all model. Whether we are clarifying a diagnosis, understanding patterns in recovery, exploring trauma, or building practical tools for change, I aim to integrate research-informed care with warmth, flexibility, and human connection.
My Qualifications
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Licensed Clinical Psychologist, California (PSY29603)
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University (2009)
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Substance Use Disorder Treatment, San Francisco VA Health Care System (2010)
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF; 2010-2013)
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Director of Neuropsychological Assessment, Alta Mira Recovery Programs
Chief Clinical Officer, Innsightful, Inc.
Clinical Psychologist & Clinician Investigator, San Francisco VA Health Care System (2017–2024)
Associate Professor in Residence, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine (2014–2024)
Program Lead, Rural Native Veteran Outreach, San Francisco VA Health Care System (2019–2024)
Associate Director, Addiction Research Program, San Francisco VA Health Care System (2016–2024)
Research Psychologist, Northern California Institute for Research and Education (2013–2017)
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Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, or Scientific Advisor on more than $13 million in federally funded research supported by the Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and Department of Veterans Affairs.
Research and publication background focused on substance use disorders, trauma and PTSD, cognitive functioning, traumatic brain injury, neuroimaging, behavioral interventions, harm reduction, virtual reality and cognitive training, and digital mental health innovation.
Currently Funded Projects:
Air Force SBIR Phase II — Co-Investigator AI-driven biometric monitoring integrating wearable sensors to assess stress and resilience in military personnel (2025–2026)
DARPA Phase I — Co-Investigator Development of an AI-powered conversational support tool to enhance suicide detection and culturally responsive therapeutic engagement (2025–2026)
Rates & Fees
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Professional services requested outside of regular therapy sessions—such as report writing, extended phone consultations, coordination with other providers, or preparation of records—are billed separately and discussed in advance, consistent with your Good Faith Estimate.
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Assessment services may include clinical interviewing, test administration, scoring and interpretation of measures, feedback sessions, report preparation, and coordination with other providers as appropriate. Total time varies depending on the referral question and complexity of the evaluation. An estimated range will be discussed prior to scheduling.
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Consultation services for programs, organizations, or industry partners are billed based on project scope and are typically handled under a separate consulting agreement.
Rates are subject to change and will always be confirmed before scheduling.
Connect With Melantha Health to Learn How We Can Help
Schedule your free call to ask us any questions you may have about our therapy, assessment, or consultation options.