- Years in practice
- 17
- Credentials
- LMHC
- Licensed in
- Florida
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Addictions
- Focus
- Anger management
About Susan
Susan Dawson is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in Florida who draws on 17 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people manage anxiety, depression, stress, and anger while also addressing parenting concerns and relationship challenges. Her approach is direct and practical, aimed at making everyday life feel more manageable.
She combines client-centered listening with tools from cognitive behavioral therapy to identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors.
Background and approach
Emotionally-focused ideas guide work on connection and intimacy, and mindfulness practices help with grounding during upset or low mood. The methods are chosen to match each person's situation rather than following one fixed plan. Susan has long worked with people facing addictions, grief, and major life changes such as divorce or career shifts.
She also supports concerns tied to identity, coping with shame or guilt, and issues like jealousy or isolation. Her experience includes mood disorders and trauma-related problems, and she adapts pacing to what a person can manage in the moment. Sessions are practical and collaborative.
She helps people set small, achievable goals and practices skills between sessions. Conversations are straightforward and focused on what will help day to day, whether that means improving communication, reducing panic, or building healthier routines. For those juggling work, parenting, or travel, Susan offers several online formats to keep therapy manageable.
She encourages clients to try an approach and change direction as needed so the work fits their life and goals.
What Susan works with
Everything Susan lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Susan helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Addictions
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Depression
- LGBT
- Relationship issues
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Parenting issues
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Coping with life changes
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Divorce and separation
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Emptiness
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- HIV / AIDS
- Immigration issues
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Jealousy
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
- Young adult issues
Approaches Susan lists
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
- Gottman Method
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- 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.
Approaches that translate to online care
Susan uses client-centered therapy to ground the work in each person's goals and values, focusing first on listening and understanding what matters most. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to spot and change unhelpful thought patterns and to build practical skills for anxiety, mood struggles, and parenting stress.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss options and try techniques together with the client, adapting methods as progress is observed or needs change. This means sessions can shift from skills practice to emotionally focused conversations when connection or intimacy issues come up.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. Video is useful for deeper conversations and real-time skills coaching. Phone sessions require less bandwidth and can work well during a break at work. Live chat or messaging supports brief check-ins, exercises, and tracking mood between sessions. These options increase flexibility so therapy can continue through travel, work hours, or parenting responsibilities.
Questions people ask about Susan
What concerns does this therapist address?
Susan works with a wide range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, self-esteem, grief, trauma, intimacy-related problems, parenting, and career transitions.
How would you describe the therapeutic style?
The style blends client-centered listening with practical tools from cognitive behavioral and emotionally-focused work, plus mindfulness techniques to build coping skills and improve relationships.
What is Susan Dawson's background and experience?
She has 17 years of clinical experience supporting people through mood disorders, trauma, life changes like divorce, and substance-related concerns.
Where is the therapist licensed and located?
She is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida and holds the FL LMHC credential.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, and she also accepts international clients.
What online session formats are available?
Therapy can be done via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and communication needs.
How is cost structured for sessions?
Costs vary 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 a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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