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- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness work
About Richard
Richard "Rick" Dawson, LCSW, is licensed in Oregon and has 33 years of professional experience. He focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship difficulties, grief, depression, family concerns, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping problems, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, career questions, bipolar disorder, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and ADHD. He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy in his practice.
Rick returned to clinical work after a period of retirement. He began his counseling career in 1992 and has worked in inpatient and outpatient settings. His background includes individual and group therapy in hospital settings, community mental health, hospice care, and private practice in suburban Portland, Oregon.
Sessions focus on clear problem solving and practical skills. He works with people to identify patterns that cause distress. He helps clients try specific strategies to reduce anxiety, manage mood swings, and address addictive behaviors.
Rick describes therapy as a partnership. He aims to create an open environment for honest discussion and joint problem solving. He does not judge and concentrates on concrete steps a person can try between sessions.
His long career includes work with adults across a range of clinical settings. That experience informs how he applies structured techniques like CBT and DBT alongside mindfulness and solution-focused methods. The emphasis is on usable tools for everyday life and steady progress toward better functioning.
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How his clinical methods translate to online sessions
CBT focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It uses structured exercises and home practice to reduce anxiety, depression, and panic symptoms. DBT emphasizes building emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills through concrete techniques and skills practice.Finding the right approach is part of the work together. He will review a person's needs, goals, and preferences and recommend practical methods to try. The choice of techniques is collaborative and may shift as progress is made.
Confirm current session options before booking since specific online formats are not listed in the biography. Many people find remote sessions helpful for fitting therapy into a busy week, shortening travel time, and enabling more frequent or flexible check-ins. Talk logistics and scheduling options with the therapist when arranging the first appointment so sessions fit into everyday life.
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Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
33+ years
Listed in
Oregon
Languages
English
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Frequently asked questions
What concerns does he address?
He works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, depression, family matters, trauma and more as listed in his profile.
What is his therapeutic style?
He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy and focuses on practical problem solving and skill building.
How many years of experience does he have?
He has 33 years of professional experience beginning in 1992 and has worked in inpatient, outpatient, hospice, and private-practice settings.
Is he licensed and where does he practice?
He is an LCSW licensed in Oregon.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients schedule with him?
He is not accepting international clients at this time.
How are sessions arranged and what formats are offered?
Confirm current session options before booking by checking the therapist's profile on the site; the profile's guidance will list the available formats.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, call 911, or call or text 988.