FindGottmanTherapists

The therapist listings come from BetterHelp. We will earn a commission if you sign up through our link, at no cost to you.

SD Portrait of Susan Dawson

Susan Dawson

Practical, compassionate mental health counseling

LMHC Florida

Experience
17 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Anger
Approaches
Gottman Method, Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Susan

Susan Dawson is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Florida with 17 years of experience. She uses clear, practical methods to help people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and anger.

Background and approach

She welcomes conversations about addiction, self-esteem, grief, trauma, and intimacy-related concerns. Her background includes work with a range of mood and behavioral concerns.

She helps people facing life changes such as divorce, separation, and career shifts. She also supports those coping with guilt, shame, isolation, and issues around commitment and communication.

Susan blends approaches that fit each person’s needs. She draws on client-centered work to listen and build trust.

She also uses cognitive behavioral tools to spot unhelpful thinking and practice new skills. When relationships are part of the picture she brings Gottman-informed ideas and emotionally-focused work to help people understand patterns and improve connection.

Mindfulness strategies are added to teach simple ways to calm the body and steady attention during stress. Sessions are practical and goal-focused.

People leave with steps they can try between meetings and ways to measure progress. Her aim is to offer steady, respectful guidance while people work through the issues that brought them to therapy.

Approach-driven care for online therapy

Susan uses methods that focus on how people think, feel, and interact. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps identify unhelpful thought patterns and teaches practical exercises to change behaviors and mood. The Gottman-informed work looks at recurring interaction patterns and offers tools to improve communication and reduce conflict in relationships. Client-centered therapy creates a supportive space where the person’s values and goals guide each session.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss your goals, try different techniques, and adjust the plan collaboratively. Sessions aim to match your needs and preferences so you can try approaches that make sense for your life.

Online sessions are offered as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility. Video is useful for deeper conversation and visual cues, phone calls work well when bandwidth is limited, live chat fits quick check-ins, and messaging supports brief daily check-ins or ongoing reflection. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or busy family schedules while keeping progress moving forward.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Susan address?
Susan works with stress, anxiety, depression, anger, addictions, and a wide range of relationship and life-change concerns. Other focuses include parenting, grief, trauma and mood disorders.
What is her general therapy style?
Her style is practical and client-centered, mixing listening with concrete skill-building. She uses cognitive behavioral techniques and emotionally-focused ideas when helpful.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 17 years of experience as a practicing mental health clinician in Florida. That experience includes work with mood and anxiety concerns and major life transitions.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a Florida licensed mental health counselor, listed as LMHC, and practices in Florida.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English, and she accepts international clients.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled for therapy?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Also works with

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

Therapeutic approaches

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

Experience

17+ years

Licensed in

Florida

Languages

English