Dr. Dave
I thought coming out and accepting my gay identity would be the climax of my story.
Instead, it was the beginning of a harder chapter — marked by depression, disconnection, and doubt.
What changed everything wasn’t a dramatic breakthrough, but three grounded intentions rooted in science — small shifts that gradually altered the course of my life.
Over time, those shifts became something more structured. I began noticing patterns — in my own experience, in the lives of the men I worked with, and in the research emerging from positive psychology and narrative identity science.
Clarity wasn’t random.
Growth wasn’t accidental.
Meaning could be cultivated.
Out of that convergence — lived experience, clinical work, and research — the COMPASS Framework was born.
COMPASS integrates narrative identity work, strengths-based development, values clarification, community and accountability, and purposeful life design. The result is not just insight — but direction.
COMPASS isn’t about reinventing yourself.
It’s about orienting yourself.
Finding steady direction in seasons of identity shift, spiritual transition, relational change, and life redesign.
It now serves as the foundation of my COMPASS Coaching Programs for queer and questioning men.
Hello & Welcome...
The COMPASS Coaching Programs are developed and taught by me, Dr. Dave Stefan. I'm a Professor, Therapist, Positive Psychology Researcher and Founder of the Good Life Lab.
COMPASS is a proven framework that I designed to help queer men create lives filled with greater meaning and purpose.
In a pilot study with pre- and post-assessments, participants in a seven-week group experience reported significant improvements in:
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Connectedness
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Health
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Happiness
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Meaning
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Satisfaction in life
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Accomplishment
This isn’t just theory — it "can" lead to real life change because it is backed by positive psychology research and lived experience.
By the end of the COMPASS Coaching Programs, participants report:
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Greater clarity about who they are and where they’re going,
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A more compassionate and coherent understanding of their life story,
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Increased confidence in decisions, boundaries, and next steps, and
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A renewed sense of purpose, meaning, and connection.
In the COMPASS coaching experience:
💡 What You’ll Gain
When you step into the
COMPASS coaching programs, you’ll learn to:
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Clarify your purpose.
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Deepen your connections and grow relationships that nourish you.
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Boost your well-being — our pilot study participants experienced measurable gains in health, happiness, and life satisfaction.
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Design your next chapter with focus and courage.
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Celebrate accomplishments — and learn how to build momentum toward bigger dreams.
🌍 Why It Matters
For years, many of us have wrestled with identity, isolation, and questions of meaning.
The COMPASS grew out of my own journey of experimenting and prototyping projects to help me navigate life's challenges and transitions.
As I applied positive psychology research in my own life and with clients and witnessed real change and progress, I refined my process into the acronym COMPASS.
🚀 Program Tracks
You don’t have to wait until “someday” to start living a good life.
Join one of the COMPASS Coaching Programs Today.
With Three Options from a Self-Guided journey with course materials and weekly lessons, video tutorials and an orientation, to a high touch 12-week mentorship experience with virtual check ins to reinforce accountability and progress during the program, there is something for every budget.
COMPASS Coaching Program Tracks
Please contact me at dr.dave@drdavesgoodlifelab.com with questions about coaching details, registration and payment information for any of these paths.
1. Self-guided COMPASS Journey
Track 1: Cost $395
Program includes the following:
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One 30-minute introductory call with Dr. Dave
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COMPASS Quest Journal & Curriculum that introduces key concepts and science-backed tools.
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8 weeks of email correspondence to help you apply insights in real life.
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Good Life Project Plan, designed to guide your exploration and growth and over the next year.
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Good Life North Star Statement - a purpose to keep you focused and motivated towards your key intentions.
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10-Year Good Life Vision & roadmap to help you orient long-term decisions with confidence and purpose.
2. Guided COMPASS Experience
Track 2: Cost $795
Program includes the following:
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Three 45- minute virtual calls with Dr. Dave (a value of $450)
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Structured curriculum with teachings that introduce key concepts and science-backed tools.
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Personalized weekly quests to help you apply insights in real life—not just talk about them.
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Good Life Project Plan, designed to guide your exploration and growth and over the next year.
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Good Life North Star Statement - a purpose to keep you focused and motivated towards your key intentions.
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10-Year Good Life Vision & roadmap to help you orient long-term decisions with confidence and purpose.
3. High Touch COMPASS Mentorship
Track 3: Cost $2995
Program includes the following:
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12 weekly 45- minute virtual calls with Dr. Dave (a value of $1800)
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Weekly email check ins with feedback on submitted work.
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Custom designed AI assignments to support innovation and progress.
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14 Additional video case studies/stories of actual participants walking through the COMPASS program, step-by-step.
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Structured curriculum with 21 extensive video teachings that introduce key concepts and science-backed tools.
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Personalized weekly quests to help you apply insights in real life—not just talk about them.
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Good Life Project Plan, designed to guide your exploration and growth and over the next year.
-
Good Life North Star Statement - a purpose to keep you focused and motivated towards your key intentions.
-
10-Year Good Life Vision & roadmap to help you orient long-term decisions with confidence and purpose.