Hello! My name is Dawn and I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker. I have 26 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: 26 years
Additional areas of focus: Coping with addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Coping with grief and loss, 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.
So thoughtful
Written on Aug 07, 2026 after therapy with Dawn for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Very caring person
Written on Jul 13, 2026 after therapy with Dawn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, and stress, anxiety
Dawn was immediately warm and welcoming. She has a kind gentle way about her. She was an immediate match. I highly recommend
Written on Jun 28, 2026 after therapy with Dawn for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, and eating disorders
Dawn is great and keeps in touch. She listens to what I have to say and gives me helpful worksheets and advice.
Written on Jun 19, 2026 after therapy with Dawn for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and relationship issues
Very nice and caring
Written on Jun 13, 2026 after therapy with Dawn for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, self esteem, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Really good and has helped change my perspective
Written on Mar 21, 2026 after therapy with Dawn for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes