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- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Trauma-focused work
About Dawn
LMHC in Rhode Island with 20 years of clinical experience, Dawn Whitehead focuses on stress and anxiety, depression, trauma and LGBT-related concerns. She also teaches anger management skills and supports people coping with major life changes. Dawn uses practical talk and clear strategies to help people manage symptoms and regain routine functioning.
Dawn centers Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and trauma-focused approaches in sessions. She introduces skills for regulating intense emotions and for recognizing unhelpful thinking patterns. Sessions include straightforward skill practice, behavior experiments, and short-term problem solving when appropriate.
People come to her for a range of concerns, including mood disorders, panic attacks, obsessions or compulsions, self-harm, body image, and relationship difficulties. She also addresses issues such as abandonment, guilt and shame, gender dysphoria, and non-monogamous relationship dynamics. Dawn works with clients to set concrete goals and track progress over time.
Her style is direct and respectful. She explains techniques, models skills, and gives practice tasks between sessions. When trauma is involved, she uses trauma-focused methods alongside skills training to help reduce symptoms and improve day-to-day coping.
Sessions are individualized and aimed at practical change. Dawn asks about what is most pressing and builds a plan that fits each person's circumstances. People interested in beginning can follow the service's intake steps to match with her and schedule an initial session.
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How Dawn’s approaches translate to online work
CBT helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through structured exercises and between-session practice. It is useful for anxiety, depression, panic, and many mood-related problems. DBT provides concrete emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills to reduce impulsivity and manage strong feelings. These skills are often practiced in short, focused tasks during sessions. Trauma-focused therapy concentrates on processing traumatic memories and reducing trauma symptoms through graded techniques and stabilization work. It aims to help people feel less overwhelmed by traumatic memories and increase daily functioning.Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative step. Dawn reviews concerns, goals, and how a person prefers to work, then suggests an approach or combination. She adjusts methods over time based on progress and client feedback so the plan stays practical and relevant.
If you plan to use online sessions, confirm the exact session formats before booking. The therapist will explain available formats and help choose what fits your schedule and needs. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, or reduce travel time. It also supports continuing skill practice between meetings and quicker access to scheduled appointments.
Sheet 3
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
Rhode Island
Languages
English
Sheet 4
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and LGBT-related concerns. Additional focuses include anger, grief, eating issues, mood disorders, self-harm, and relationship difficulties.
What approaches does she use in sessions?
She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness, solution-focused techniques, and trauma-focused therapy. Sessions emphasize practical skills and problem solving.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Dawn has 20 years of experience working with a variety of concerns, including trauma, anxiety, and mood disorders.
Where is she licensed to practice?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, listed as RI LMHC in Rhode Island.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions paid for?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the urgent help numbers.