Sheet 1
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Mindfulness methods
About Richard
LCSW in Oregon with 33 years of practice experience, Richard "Rick" Dawson focuses on stress, anxiety, addictions, relationships, grief, and mood concerns. He combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness, and Solution-Focused work to help people manage difficult feelings and practical life problems.
Rick returned to practice after retirement and brings decades of inpatient and outpatient experience. He has provided individual and group work in hospital and clinic settings and ran a private practice starting in 2004. Much of his recent career was spent as an outpatient therapist in a family medical clinic near Portland, Oregon.
Sessions are conversational and goal-oriented. He helps people identify patterns of thinking and behavior, and then practices new skills together. Mindfulness strategies and DBT tools are used to manage intense emotions and reduce reactivity. Solution-Focused techniques are used to set small, reachable goals.
Rick has worked with people facing depression, panic, social anxiety, bipolar symptoms, and grief. He also helps with parenting strain, sleeping problems, anger, self-esteem, career stress, and compassion fatigue. Addictions and trauma-related concerns are part of his caseload as well.
His approach is practical and collaborative. He asks questions, listens, and suggests exercises to try between sessions. The aim is steady, manageable change rather than quick fixes.
He conducts sessions in English and does not accept international clients. Prospective clients should confirm current session formats before booking by following the practice's intake steps.
Sheet 2
How his approaches translate to online work
Richard uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify unhelpful thinking and test practical behavior changes. CBT sessions often focus on specific problems like panic attacks, sleep issues, or low mood and include concrete exercises to practice between meetings. Dialectical Behavior Therapy provides skills for emotion regulation and distress tolerance, useful when anxiety, anger, or intense reactions interfere with daily life.Choosing the right approach is collaborative. He will discuss goals, try methods, and adjust plans based on what helps most. Clients and the therapist decide together whether to focus on skill-building, problem-solving, or both as work progresses.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm which options are currently offered before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Those practical benefits can help people keep momentum between appointments and apply new skills more consistently.
Sheet 3
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
33+ years
Listed in
Oregon
Languages
English
Sheet 4
Frequently asked questions
What problems does he help with?
He works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, grief, relationship and family concerns, and related issues such as sleep problems, anger, and parenting strain.
What therapy approaches does he use?
He uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy in his work.
How much experience does he have?
He has 33 years of professional experience across inpatient and outpatient settings, group and individual work, and private practice.
What are his credentials and where is he based?
He is an LCSW licensed in Oregon and has practiced in hospital, clinic, hospice, and private-practice settings around Portland.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with him?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with him?
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.