Richard "Rick" Dawson, LCSW

Richard "Rick" Dawson is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Oregon with 33 years of professional experience. He returned to active practice after a period of retirement, bringing a long history of inpatient and outpatient work to his clients. As an LCSW - a licensed clinical social worker who provides therapy and clinical support - he has worked with individuals, families, and groups across a range of settings.

His career began after years as a musician, launching a counseling path in 1992 at age 39. While completing his counseling degree he provided inpatient services in the psychiatric department of a general hospital in Nevada, then continued there for about 15 years offering individual, family, and group therapy. In 2004 he opened a private practice and later moved into work at a stand-alone psychiatric hospital around 2009. He has also provided care in a community mental health clinic and in hospice settings. More recently he spent a decade as a private-practice outpatient therapist working within a family medical clinic in suburban Portland, Oregon.

He assists adults with a wide array of concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and intimacy-related issues, grief and loss, depression, trauma and abuse, parenting and family dynamics, sleep difficulties, anger, self-esteem, career challenges, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and compassion fatigue. He aims to create a nonjudgmental therapeutic partnership focused on problem-solving and helping clients move toward a more rewarding, fulfilling life. Taking the first step can be challenging, and he positions himself as a supportive collaborator in that process.