Dawn Madden

Compassionate counseling grounded in practical skills

LPC Pennsylvania

Experience: 11 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Self esteem
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Dawn

Dawn Madden is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) practicing in Pennsylvania who brings 11 years of clinical experience to people facing stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem concerns, and LGBT-related challenges.

Background and approach

She also draws on extensive work in substance use and trauma-related areas, and attends to a broad range of relationship and identity issues such as attachment difficulties, communication problems, and codependency. Her approach centers on collaborating with clients to build on existing strengths, viewing each person as the expert of their own story.

Dawn blends evidence-informed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to tailor interventions to individual needs. She encourages practical skill building while exploring patterns rooted in family of origin, past loss, or major life transitions.

Clients work with her to address specific symptoms and to develop sustainable coping strategies for challenges like divorce, blended family issues, substance concerns, dissociation, and feelings of emptiness. Dawn emphasizes a supportive therapeutic relationship and offers guidance aimed at restoring motivation, clarity, and a greater sense of wellbeing.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors, offering concrete tools to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms and to improve daily functioning. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) encourages noticing thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them while clarifying personal values to guide meaningful action, which can help with motivation, avoidance, and coping during life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy explores relational patterns that influence current emotional experience and communication, helping clients understand how early bonds shape responses to intimacy and loss.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Dawn works with clients to assess goals, preferences, and what has or has not helped in the past, then tailors a combination of methods to fit those needs. This collaborative exploration helps shape treatment priorities and practical steps forward.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent support from a licensed professional while balancing work, family, or other commitments, and allow for ongoing skill practice between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Dawn commonly address?

She supports people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem difficulties, LGBT-related matters, and life transitions, as well as substance use and trauma-related issues.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Her style is collaborative and strength-focused, combining practical skill building with exploration of patterns and relationships to help clients create meaningful change.

What is her professional background?

She has 11 years of experience working in clinical settings, including substantial experience with substance use and trauma-informed care.

Where is she licensed and based?

She is licensed in Pennsylvania and holds the LPC credential with license number PA LPC PC016074.

Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?

Sessions are conducted in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.

What session formats are available with her?

Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.

How are fees and payments 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 a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyLGBTSelf esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHearing impairedHoardingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

11+ years

Licensed

Pennsylvania

Languages

English