About DavE
Dr. Dave Talavera
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Dave Talavera is a licensed clinical psychologist and director of the adult mental health division at the CFC-SB.
Dr. Talavera is a psychological assessment specialist. His evaluation services include neurodevelopmental assessments (e.g., ADHD, Autism, learning differences), neuromodulation assessments for chronic pain (e.g., spinal cord stimulator), and immigration evaluations (e.g., 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 takes all this knowledge and translates it into compassionate, practical care.
Dr. Talavera previously held academic medical positions as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine (Anesthesia) and at the Keck School of Medicine of USC (Neurology). He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in pain psychology at Stanford, his predoctoral internship in behavioral medicine at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance, and earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from UC Berkeley.
When he’s not in the office, you’ll find Dr. Talavera reading sci-fi books, running, and playing fetch with his dog, "Houston."
Dr. Talavera is excited to support you on your journey toward better health, clarity, and well-being.
Email: Talavera@thecenterforconnection.org
PSY31480