About Our Practice

Dr. David A. Maxwell opened Ascend Psychological Services, PLLC in October 2013. The mission of Ascend Psychological Services, PLLC is to encourage the well-being of all people through the application of research-supported interventions and treating everyone with the utmost dignity and respect. Prior to 2013, Dr. Maxwell served over 15 years in the mental health field, seeking a broad variety of experiences to prepare him for opening his own practice.

After graduating from Tryon High School in 1987, Dr. Maxwell earned a BA in Psychology from Appalachian State University in 1991. He graduated Cum Laude from ASU. He earned a MA in Clinical Psychology from Western Carolina University in 1998. He earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Memphis in 2010.

In addition to his formal education, Dr. Maxwell has extensive hands-on experience working in the mental health field. He worked intensively with troubled children and adolescents at Camp Elliott Therapeutic Wilderness Program. He completed an internship at Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital (for survivors of head, heart, and spinal cord injuries). He served in various positions with the NC Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, including: Counselor Technician, Court Counselor, and Staff Psychologist II. He completed practicums at Blue Ridge Mental Health, Daybreak Treatment Center, and the University of Memphis Counseling Center. He completed his doctoral internship in the Counseling and Psychological Services Center of Appalachian State University. After earning his doctorate, Dr. Maxwell worked with children, adolescents, and adults at Carolina Counseling and Consultation in Salisbury, NC until 2013.