Hello! My name is Dawn and I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker. I have 25 years of experience Working in Community Mental Health Organizations and in Private Practice settings. I live in Iowa and also travel frequently with my life partner. I work with clients affected by depression, anxiety, communication, inter and intrapersonal relationship difficulties.
My expertise that I bring you includes building blocks of healthy relationships:
1. Clear communication
2. Emotional regulation
3. Self-worth
4. Compassion
5. Insight
6. Ability to acknowledge and verbalize others strengths and emotions.
I worked as a bachelor’s level social worker for 4 years prior to Graduate School, achieving my independent license in Social Work,
I have worked in private group practice, started my own individual practice and currently work in a community mental health setting.
My approach to therapy is client centered: clients are the experts of their lives, and we work together on the direction an individual determines. Through a strengths-based and solutions-focused lens, I draw on multiple treatment modalities to guide clients in identifying strengths and developing treatment plans that accomplish their goals. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), I assist clients in exploring relationships among thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to aid in discovering dysfunctional thought patterns leading to self-destructive behaviors and beliefs. Using Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), I support clients through developing skills: mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotion regulation with the goal of moving clients towards a life involving the capacity for experiencing joy and freedom.
If clients are open to it, we also work using an internal family systems approach. This work goes inside your own system and identifies different parts that can be helpful or may need updating as you grow and develop.
Outside of my work as a therapist, I enjoy exercise, yoga, walking and hiking and meditation practice in the beautiful outdoors. I also enjoy my life partner and our two dogs. Izzy is the newest member to our family and is a sweet, sassy handful!I am incredibly grateful for my precious support system of family, friends and colleagues.
SPECIALTIES
Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Self esteem
Depression
Intra and Interpersonal Communication
Coping with life changes
Bipolar disorder, emotional intensity disorder, anger management and self-care.
Years of Experience: 25 years
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Body image, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Divorce and separation, Eating and food-related issues, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Mood disorders, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Post-traumatic stress, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
IA LISW 06148
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Dawn O'Regan. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
She was awesome the first time I used BetterHelp, I'm excited to take to her again now that I renewed my service.
Written on Oct 26, 2025 after therapy with Dawn for 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, and sleeping disorders
Dawn has been with me through some of the hardest times of my life this year, through her help and advice I have become more confident and faced a lot of my fears in a positive manner. My stress and anxiety have been less each month as well. She is a positive yet grounding listener and helps you to understand.
Written on Oct 23, 2025 after therapy with Dawn for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Naturally nurturing and intuitive. Very calm and a good guide in conversation. Makes sure to write down things important to you and your growth. Reviews progress and challenges your thinking about the world and yourself and others.
Written on Jul 08, 2025 after therapy with Dawn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and ad
She is so great
Written on Apr 11, 2025 after therapy with Dawn for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and adhd