Richard "Rick" Dawson, LCSW
Experienced LCSW focused on practical parenting support
Book with Richard- Years in practice
- 33
- Credentials
- LCSW
- Licensed in
- Oregon
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- Relationship issues
About Richard
Richard "Rick" Dawson uses a straightforward, skills-focused approach to help people manage stress, anxiety, mood problems, and parenting concerns. He draws on practical methods that teach tools for coping and changing unhelpful patterns. Rick is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, with three decades of clinical experience.
He began his counseling career in 1992 after earlier years as a working musician. Early work included inpatient psychiatric care where he provided individual, group, and family sessions.
Background and approach
Over time he has practiced in hospitals, a community mental health clinic, hospice settings, and personal outpatient care in Oregon. Rick spends sessions helping people name problems, try small changes, and track what works. He focuses on hands-on strategies for anxiety, depression, addiction issues, grief, anger, sleep problems, and relationship or intimacy concerns.
Parenting worries and coping with life changes are regular topics he addresses with clients. He uses a mix of approaches such as cognitive behavioral methods, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness, and solution-focused techniques. That means sessions often include concrete skills, gentle behavior experiments, and short-term goal planning.
The work aims to reduce distress and increase the things that matter to each person. Clients can expect a calm, nonjudgmental tone and a partnership model. Rick emphasizes clear communication and practical steps you can try between sessions.
He describes therapy as collaborative problem-solving that fits each person’s goals and pace.
What Richard works with
Everything Richard lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Richard helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Depression
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Social anxiety and phobia
Approaches Richard lists
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
Practical approaches for online parenting and life challenges
Richard "Rick" Dawson commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-informed techniques to address everyday problems. Cognitive behavioral methods help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors to reduce anxiety, panic, low mood, or sleep disruption. Mindfulness Therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices that can lower stress and help people respond more calmly during parenting challenges or moments of strong emotion.Finding the right approach is part of the work. He will collaborate with each person to choose methods that match goals, needs, and preferences. That might mean trying a skills-based plan for a few sessions, adding mindfulness practices, or shifting focus to short solution-focused steps when practical changes are the priority.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls are useful for longer sessions and when face-to-face conversation matters. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or you need a quieter check-in. Live chat and text messaging work well for short updates, skill coaching between sessions, and flexible check-ins that fit into a busy parenting schedule.
Questions people ask about Richard
What kinds of concerns does this therapist help with?
He helps people address stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep problems, parenting worries, anger, self-esteem, ADHD, and related mood or panic concerns.
What is his general therapy style?
Sessions focus on practical tools and short-term goals. He blends cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical behavior strategies, mindfulness, and solution-focused work to create concrete steps clients can try.
How much clinical experience does he have?
He has 33 years of professional experience, including inpatient and outpatient roles, group and individual work, hospice, community mental health, and independent practice in Oregon.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
He holds an LCSW, which stands for licensed clinical social worker, and is licensed in Oregon.
Which languages are sessions offered in and are international clients supported?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
In what formats are sessions available?
He offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging for online work.
How are costs and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing the short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to therapist availability.
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