About/Philosophy
Meet Dr. David Brillhart
David C. Brillhart, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist whose work centers on helping people navigate chronic emotional and/or physical pain with evidence-based treatment.
Dr. Brillhart’s therapeutic blend of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness-based exposure therapy moves beyond traditional talk therapy to powerfully unlock trauma stored in the body; trauma often manifesting itself as anxiety, depression, and chronic pain.
This mind-body treatment approach harnesses the brain’s natural ability to heal the body, and supports people in moving their lives defined by purpose rather than chronic emotional and/or physical pain.
His clinical work culminates in the development of Pain2Purpose (P2P), a mobile app bringing his integrative treatment approach into a broader, accessible format. P2P emphasizes intervention-driven symptom relief by helping people align with their values and taking meaningful steps forward—even in the midst of discomfort.
Pain is universal. Healing is intentional.
Pain2Purpose as a Guiding Philosophy
Originally created for clinical use, Pain2Purpose is also a broader philosophical framework to navigate life choices with pain in our life. Pain—both emotional and physical—is universal. Rather than separating each pain experience, Dr. Brillhart combines emotional and physical pain as one pain unit, Capital ‘P’ Pain (CPP). At its core, this philosophy invites people to navigate their ability to react vs. respond to CPP by focusing on change we can control and letting go of things we cannot:
Accepting our CPP (an uncontrollable event).
Changing how we respond to CPP (a controllable event).
Taking our lives back from CPP (through values-guided living).
Creative Practice
Outside of psychology, Dr. Brillhart is also a passionate photographer. His work is featured in clinical resources, workshop trainings, and public exhibitions. He often uses his imagery to evoke reflection, stillness, and presence—qualities supporting the healing process in profound ways.
Credentials & Background
Dr. Brillhart has considerable forensic/correctional clinical experience using ACT with high-risk, special needs, and serious persistent mental illness offenders in maximum-security settings. His research in this area was presented at several national and international conferences; he is also internationally recognized for his expertise and workshop training on ACT. In 2017, Dr. Brillhart authored a book chapter on ACT in Individual Psychological Therapies in Forensic Settings (Davies & Nagi, Eds., 2017). And in 2018, his full-day training, Mad as Hell: Gaining Control of Life Over Anger with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was filmed and is available for DVD distribution through PESI.
Working with difficult-to-treat forensic and correctional offenders and non-forensic clients with chronic trauma, emotional, and physical pain has afforded Dr. Brillhart the opportunity to hone his ACT and mindfulness-based exposure therapy therapeutic skills into the culmination of Pain2Purpose. Dr. Brillhart earned his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology with Forensic Specialization from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Education
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with Forensic Specialization; Masters of Arts in Clinical Psychology
Licenses
Oregon: Licensed Psychologist (#2162)
Illinois: Licensed Clinical Psychologist (#071.007934)
Certifications
EMDR International Association Certified Therapist
Brainspotting Trainings, LLC: Certified Brainspotting Therapist
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI®): MBTI Certified
Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement (APLB)
Professional Membership and Activities
American Psychological Association (APA)
Oregon Psychological Association (OPA)
Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
EFT International Practitioner
Press
ACT: Taking Hurt to Hope – ACT Behind Bars audio podcast.
ACT: Taking Hurt to Hope – Struggling with ACT Processes: Persistency and Commitment audio podcast.
“I Went to a Cuddling Convention” – Subject matter expert interviewed for this news article.
A Note From Dr. Brillhart
There’s a reason this project is called ACT II.
I believe in second chances. Even when life takes unexpected turns—as it does in ACT I of a good play or musical—there’s always potential for renewal. Through my work with Pain2Purpose, writing, and photography, I’ve watched people reshape their stories and reconnect with what matters most. To witness this gift of healing is humbling and life-affirming; I hope you are inspired today to rewrite your ACT II through Pain2Purpose.