Richard "Rick" Dawson , LCSW

Richard "Rick" Dawson returned to clinical practice after retiring shortly before the pandemic and then deciding to resume his lifelong passion for therapy in 2023, the year he turned 70. He is licensed in Oregon and brings 33 years of professional experience to his work. He holds an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a credential that reflects advanced social work training and clinical practice.

Before beginning his counseling career, he worked as a musician in his 20s and 30s. He launched his counseling work in 1992 at age 39, training and practicing in the inpatient psychiatric department of a general hospital in Nevada while completing his counseling degree. After graduating he remained in that setting for about 15 years, providing individual, family, and group therapy, and he later started a private practice in 2004 while still employed at the hospital. His subsequent roles included work in a stand-alone psychiatric hospital beginning around 2009, time in a community mental health clinic, and a period in hospice care. For the decade prior to his recent return he was an outpatient therapist in a family medical clinic in suburban Portland, Oregon.

He has experience helping adults of all ages with depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship challenges, grief and loss, trauma, and a range of mood and life-adjustment concerns. He emphasizes a nonjudgmental, collaborative therapeutic partnership where thoughts and feelings can be explored and practical problem-solving can occur. He supports clients as they take the often-difficult first steps toward a more fulfilling life.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Richard "Rick" Dawson integrates evidence-informed approaches to address a wide range of concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression and to improve daily functioning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness, which can be especially helpful for intense emotions, relationship difficulties, or patterns of self-destructive behavior.

Determining the right approach is a collaborative process. He works with each person to understand their needs, goals, and preferences and then tailors techniques from these approaches so therapy fits the individual. This partnership helps set clear goals and adapt strategies as progress is made.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility for people with busy schedules or limited local options. Video calls allow for face-to-face connection, phone sessions work well when visual contact is unnecessary, and live chat or text-based messaging provides ongoing access between sessions. These options make it easier to maintain consistent care and to integrate therapeutic work into everyday life.