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SD Portrait of Susan Dawson

Susan Dawson

Calm, practical care for mood and life challenges

LMHC Florida

Experience
17 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Anger
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Susan

About Susan

Susan Dawson is an LMHC based in Florida who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered and emotionally focused methods to help people manage mood and life challenges.

Background and approach

She emphasizes practical, evidence-informed strategies for concerns such as depression, anxiety, stress, anger, and addictions, while also addressing issues tied to self-esteem, guilt, and shame. With 17 years of experience, she combines structured techniques with empathic listening to tailor care to each person’s circumstances.

Her practice also attends to relationship and intimacy-related themes, including communication problems, commitment issues, infidelity, and divorce or separation, as well as broader life transitions like career changes and grief. Susan works with a wide range of mood and behavioral concerns, from bipolar and other mood disorders to substance use struggles and trauma recovery.

She aims to blend practical skill-building with validation of identity and personal values. Clients seeking services in English can access her from Florida and international clients are accepted.

Online approaches rooted in evidence and emotional connection

Clients can expect Cognitive Behavioral Therapy explained in clear, actionable terms - a method that helps identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and mood-related problems. Client-centered therapy emphasizes a nonjudgmental, respectful therapeutic relationship where the therapist offers empathy and supports the client's own pace of growth and self-exploration. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on understanding and shifting emotional responses in relationships, making it useful for intimacy-related concerns, communication problems, and repair after betrayal.

Susan approaches selection of techniques collaboratively, recognizing that finding the right approach is part of the work. She will discuss goals, preferences, and what feels most helpful, then tailor sessions so the chosen methods align with the client's needs and comfort level. This partnership helps ensure therapy remains relevant and responsive.

Online formats available include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, which can increase flexibility for busy schedules or those living far from Florida. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, try different session types, and fit therapy into daily life while working with a licensed professional who integrates CBT, client-centered, and emotionally-focused tools.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?
Susan works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, grief, self-esteem, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy-related issues, parenting and career concerns, bipolar and mood disorders, and coping with life changes.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She combines Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with client-centered and emotionally-focused approaches, aiming to pair practical skill-building with empathic listening and attention to emotional experience.
What is her professional background?
She is a licensed mental health counselor with 17 years of clinical experience working with mood, trauma, relationship, and addiction-related concerns.
Where is she licensed and based?
Susan holds the Florida LMHC credential listed as FL LMHC MH11067 and practices out of Florida.
Does she work with clients who live outside the United States?
Yes, she accepts international clients and offers services in English to people located outside the U.S.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and needs.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved in beginning therapy?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsAnger managementSelf esteemDepression

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Commitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSImmigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMood disordersMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

17+ years

Licensed

Florida

Languages

English