Dr. David Brendel, MD, PhD is an APPA certified philosophical counselor based in Boston. He is also a practicing psychiatrist and executive coach.

After earning a B.A. in philosophy from Yale, David completed his M.D at Harvard Medical School and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Chicago. He did his residency training in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital, and then an Faculty Fellowship in the Harvard University Center for Ethics & the Professions (now the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics).

David is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) of the International Coach Federation (ICF). He is founder and director of Leading Minds Executive Coaching, LLC and his philosophical counseling practice is part of this company.

By fostering powerful dialogues with clients that go to the heart of their personal values and belief systems, David empowers his clients to enhance their self awareness and commit to behavior changes that allow them to reach their highest human potential. In all of his engagements with clients, he draws on his deep background in philosophy, psychology, and executive coaching to help clients grow.

David writes frequent blog articles on his work in philosophical counseling, executive coaching, and psychiatry (including pieces in the Harvard Business Review and Huffington Post). He also frequently lectures and facilitates groups on how to use open-ended questions and philosophically grounded dialogues to help people develop as effective leaders and collaborators in all aspects of their lives.