David Talavera

Dr. Dave Talavera is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and director of the adult mental health division at CFC-SB.

Dr. Talavera is a psychological assessment specialist. His evaluation services include neurodevelopmental assessments (ADHD, Autism, learning differences), neuromodulation assessments for chronic pain (e.g., spinal cord stimulator), and immigration evaluations (asylum, hardship waivers, VAWA) in both English and Spanish.

When it comes to therapy, Dr. Talavera’s approach is all about you. He uses a client-centered approach to help you make sense of complex emotions, thoughts, and behaviors so you can better navigate life’s challenges and move toward a future aligned with your goals and values. Together, you’ll develop strategies to cope with hardship, promote healing, and ultimately become your own therapist.

He has specialized training and expertise in treating chronic pain and chronic medical conditions. Dr. Talavera offers evidence-based, gold-standard psychological treatments for chronic pain based on pain neuroscience, designed to help retrain the nervous system and build sustainable ways of living. He is passionate about helping individuals not just get by, but thrive in the face of pain.

As a Spanish-speaking Latino of immigrant parents, he understands how one’s background and self-identity can shape experiences, relationships, and overall mental health. He welcomes these conversations in therapy and is committed to helping clients feel empowered and live more authentic, fulfilling lives.

Throughout his career, Dr. Talavera has published numerous scientific articles, presented at professional conferences, contributed to book chapters, and given invited talks and university lectures across the country. He translates this knowledge into compassionate, practical care.

Professional Background

• Clinical Assistant Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine (Anesthesia)
• Clinical Assistant Professor, Keck School of Medicine of USC (Neurology)
• Postdoctoral fellowship in pain psychology, Stanford
• Predoctoral internship in behavioral medicine, Harvard Medical School / Cambridge Health Alliance
• Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, University of Houston
• B.A. in Psychology, UC Berkeley

When he’s not in the office, you’ll find Dr. Talavera reading sci-fi, running, and playing fetch with his dog, Houston.