About David
Welcome!
I’m Dr. David StarrTouch (David Anderson, Ph.D.), a Psychologist, Consultant, Mentor, Certified Yoga Instructor, and Mindset Coach, as well as the founder of Survivor To Hero®.
With over 13 years of experience as a coach, I am dedicated to helping individuals achieve profound personal and professional transformation. My mission is not just to provide coaching, but to be a supportive guide, helping clients navigate life’s challenges and empowering them to shift their energy, break free from limiting beliefs, and unlock their full potential for long-lasting growth.
Consultant | Mentor, | IPEC-Certified Coach
My Journey
I hold a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia University, concentrating on Philosophy and Cognitive Neuroscience. My research focused on Positive Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, memory structures, and post-traumatic growth—key elements I bring into my coaching practice to help clients experience deep neuro-cognitive rewiring and transformational change. I also hold a Master of Arts in Community Counseling from Argosy University, specializing in Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth, Career Counseling, and Addiction Counseling.
In addition to my academic background, I am a certified coach from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC), where I specialize in Executive Coaching. I apply the Core Energy Coaching™ model, a powerful framework that has been proven to help clients shift their energy and mindset to create meaningful, lasting transformation. My approach is further enhanced by my Agile Leadership Specialization, where I integrate neuroscience, agile management tools, and psychology-based strategies to help leaders develop emotional agility, resilience, and effective leadership skills.
Science-Driven, Agile Approach
At Survivor To Hero ®, I blend my expertise in Positive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, and Agile Leadership to deliver a science-driven coaching experience. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to rewire itself by forming new neural connections, is a critical element of my coaching approach, allowing individuals to reshape their thought patterns for lasting change. By leveraging neuroplasticity, I help clients experience deep neuro-cognitive rewiring—a process that enables them to break free from old habits and limiting beliefs while creating new mental pathways that lead to emotional agility, resilience, and empowerment. Much like upgrading a computer’s software, this allows clients to develop emotional agility, resilience, and personal empowerment.
Additionally, my focus on Positive Psychology—including my training with leaders such as Dr. Martin Seligman and Angela Duckworth—enables clients to enhance their well-being, grit, and overall life satisfaction.
Consulting, Mentoring, & IPEC-Coaching
The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) was founded in 1999 by Psychologist, Dr. Bruce D. Schneider. It has since become a leading organization in the field of professional coaching, known for its Core Energy Coaching™ model, which helps individuals and organizations achieve transformational results by shifting their energy and mindset.
The Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC) distinguishes between coaching, mentoring, and consulting as follows:
- Coaching:
IPEC defines coaching as a process that empowers individuals to tap into their own potential, helping them discover their own solutions and make decisions that align with their goals and values. Coaching focuses on facilitating self-awareness, goal-setting, and personal accountability through powerful questioning, active listening, and support. Coaches work alongside clients to help them unlock new perspectives, overcome challenges, and take meaningful action, without providing direct advice or solutions.
- Mentoring:
In IPEC’s approach, mentoring involves a more experienced individual providing guidance, advice, and personal insights based on their own experience. Mentors share their knowledge and expertise with mentees to help them navigate specific challenges, develop professionally, or gain new skills. Unlike coaching, which encourages clients to find their own answers, mentoring involves imparting wisdom and offering direction.
- Consulting:
Consulting, as defined by IPEC, is the process of offering expert advice or solutions in a specific area. Consultants typically diagnose issues, recommend strategies, and provide step-by-step plans to solve problems or achieve goals. In contrast to coaching, where clients are encouraged to generate their own solutions, consulting involves giving direct recommendations and expert insights to address particular challenges.
Holistic and Transpersonal Mindset Coaching
In addition to my science-based approach, I often incorporate Mindfulness and Yoga into my coaching practice, leveraging my certification as a Certified Yoga Instructor with over three years experience working full-time teaching yoga in Washington, DC, I often integrate meditation and mindfulness practices into my sessions. This unique combination of tools helps clients cultivate self-awareness, inner peace, and mental clarity, enabling them to move beyond surface-level improvements and achieve lasting transformation.
A Comprehensive Mindset Coaching Experience
As an IPEC-Certified Executive Coach specializing in the Core Energy Coaching™ model, Agile Leadership, and Positive Psychology, I offer a comprehensive approach At Survivor To Hero ®. MY distinctive blend of coaching, mentoring, and consulting services to deliver a truly transformative experience. Whether you need guidance on overcoming challenges, developing resilience, or achieving specific goals, I’m here to support you. My mission is to empower you to step into your full potential and create a life of fulfillment, success, and well-being. With over 20 years of advanced education and 14 years of experience as a coach. I provide a unique blend of coaching, mentoring, and consulting that ensures you thrive in both personal and professional contexts.
“Working with David has literally been a life-transforming process.
Amanda’s Testimonial
“Working with David has literally been a life-transforming process.
I’ve worked with other coaches in the past and the personal growth I’ve experienced while working with David has been unmatched. His patience and kindness has allowed me to identify my areas of struggle but more importantly, his positive psychology approach has helped me find meaningful solutions. He has helped me reframe my thinking and implement new practices that have paid huge dividends! I always leave my time with David feeling stronger, wiser and more capable of being my best self. I am and will forever be grateful for his guidance and support.”
Ready to Transform Your Personal Leadership and Life?
If you’re ready to experience a science-driven, agile approach to mindset coaching that integrates Positive Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Core Energy Coaching and Agile Leadership, I invite you to begin your journey. Let’s unlock your full potential together.
Professional Qualifications:
Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
International Coaching Federation (ICF) – Recognized as a PCC through the ICF, signifying high standards in professional coaching
Certified ADHD Professional (ADHD-CCSP)
Evidence-Based Strategies for Managing ADHD Across the Lifespan
Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Transpersonal Psychology
Sofia University – Specialization in Philosophy and Cognitive Neuroscience
Doctoral Research : Created novel model to study Post-Traumatic Growth and Memory that bridged the research divide between Socio-Cognitive and Transpersonal Psychology
The Science of Well-Being
Yale University (Coursera) – Focus: Positive Psychology techniques to enhance happiness and well-being
Master of Arts in Community Counseling
Argosy University – Graduated with Honors
Additional Specialized Training in:
- Trauma and Post-Traumatic Growth
- Career Counseling
- Addiction Counseling
- Disaster Mental Health
- Counseling Gays and Lesbians
- Counseling Adolescents
Bachelor Degree Double Major: Communication Studies and Psychology
University of Idaho – Graduated with Honors
- Served on the Student Alumni Relations Board, a philanthropy organization
- Completed an internship with the United States Senate following graduation
Specializations
Foundations of Positive Psychology
UPENN: University of Pennsylvania. (Coursera)—This Specialization was designed by Positive Psychology Founder Dr. Martin Seligman. Courses were taught by Positive Psychology leaders such and Dr. Angela Duckworth, focusing on well-being, grit, and resilience.
- Certificate – Martin – E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science
- Certificate – Applications and Interventions
- Certificate – Character, Grit and Research Methods
- Certificate – Resilience Skills
- Certificate – Specialization Project: Design Your Life for Wellbeing
Agile Leadership
University of Colorado – (Coursera) – This specialization focused on transforming traditional leadership into agile leadership using neuroscience, psychology, and agile management tools.
- Certificate – Agile Leadership
- Certificate – Introduction to Change
- Certificate – Agile Leader Training
- Certificate – Developing an Agile Team
- Certificate – Agile Organization
- Certificate – Agile Leadership Capstone
IPEC Executive Coaching
Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching – The Core Energy Coaching™ model / Specialization in Executive Coaching
Certified Yoga Teachers RYT-200
Hot Yoga USA, Washington DC – Hatha Vinyasa Flow