Therapist profile
Richard "Rick" Dawson, LCSW
Oregon
Oregon LCSW focusing on anger and mood
Continue with RichardKey details
- CredentialsLCSW
- LicenseLCSW, Oregon / L11379
- NPI1902866676
- Experience33 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationOregon
About
- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness tools
About Richard
Richard "Rick" Dawson is an Oregon-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 33 years of professional experience. He returned to practice after retirement to meet demand, and he works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship strain, grief, depression, family concerns, trauma, intimacy issues, sleep trouble, parenting challenges, anger, and related concerns.
Rick draws on work in inpatient and outpatient settings. He has led both groups and individual sessions and ran a private practice since 2004. His background includes hospital-based inpatient therapy, a stand-alone psychiatric hospital, community mental health, hospice, and many years in an outpatient medical clinic in suburban Portland, Oregon.
In sessions he focuses on practical problem-solving and clear skills people can use day to day. He uses approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness to help people notice patterns and make changes that reduce distress. He also uses dialectical behavior therapy and solution-focused methods to build coping strategies and short-term goals.
Rick emphasizes a direct, nonjudgmental relationship. He aims to create space for honest conversation and joint problem-solving. That can mean learning new ways to manage strong emotions, improving sleep and routines, or shifting habits that fuel interpersonal conflict.
People meet him when they want straightforward tools and steady support. He encourages small, manageable steps and follows practical methods that suit each person’s situation.
How sessions work
How his approaches translate to online work
Richard uses cognitive behavioral therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new behaviors; this approach is commonly used for anxiety, depression, anger, and sleep problems. He also draws on dialectical behavior therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for situations that involve strong feelings. Mindfulness therapy is used to develop attention and grounding practices that reduce reactivity and improve day-to-day coping.Choosing which approach to use is collaborative. He will talk with each person about their goals, current struggles, and what methods feel most useful. Together they set short-term goals and try techniques that can be adjusted over time based on what helps most.
Confirm the therapist's current session options before booking. Many people find online work fits more easily into busy schedules because it removes travel time and can be scheduled during breaks. Online sessions can also allow shorter check-ins when needed or let someone work without being on camera if that helps them focus. Ask about the specific session formats he offers when you complete the matching questionnaire.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
33+ years
Listed in
Oregon
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does he work with?
He works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family concerns, grief, depression, trauma and anger among others.
What is his general approach in sessions?
He uses practical, skills-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral techniques, DBT skills and mindfulness, combined with solution-focused planning to address immediate problems.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 33 years of professional experience across inpatient and outpatient settings, group and individual work, and long-standing private practice experience.
What credential and location does he hold?
He is an LCSW licensed in Oregon and has a long history of practice in the state.
Can sessions be conducted in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does he accept international clients?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for and how much do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
Begin by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.