Therapists in Dawson, TX

*Are you having a challenging time in your relationships, either personal or professional? *Would you like to optimize your combined strengths? *Have you been hurt by a loved one or close friend? *Looking for assistance with life's challenges? *Unsure about the path you should take? Allow me to assist you with your behavioral and emotional needs. Hello, I’m Yolanda Pender—a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas and a National Certified Counselor, with 20+ years of progressive counseling experience. I have had the privilege of working with both civilian and military populations, offering individual and couples counseling, marriage mentoring, family support, trauma and grief care, social services, and personal development. While we cannot change the past, together we can work toward understanding its impact and finding meaningful resolutions for the challenges you face today. I approach every client with compassion, honesty, dignity, and respect, creating a safe and supportive space to explore what’s weighing on you and what’s possible for your future. My counseling style is collaborative and interactive, tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. I draw from humanistic principles while integrating approaches such as Interpersonal Therapy, Cognitive and Cognitive-Behavioral techniques, and Psychodynamic insights, among others. My goal is to help you identify the strategies and tools best suited to your growth, well-being, and long-term success. Thank you for considering me as a partner in your journey. I look forward to walking alongside you as we uncover new ways forward and create space for healing, resilience, and renewed hope.

I am a licensed therapist with fifteen years of experience working with individuals, couples, and families, from those going through significant life changes to those healing from traumatic experiences. I graduated from UW-Milwaukee in 2009 with Bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Psychology and an honors in Liberal Arts. I continued there and graduated in 2011 with a Master's degree in Educational Psychology, with a specialty in Community Counseling. In 2018, I graduated from UW-Madison with an additional capstone degree in Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health. For the first ten years of my career I worked primarily with families through in-home therapy in Milwaukee, the City of Neighborhoods! I then joined the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin as a Child and Family Therapist and Agent for the Bureau of Child Welfare as an advocate and therapist for families in the Healthy Infant Court program at the Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center. I have worked as an independently contracted therapist through the Betterhelp site since 2020 and enjoy navigating the very new field of telehealth and online therapy. I obtained licenses from Texas and Florida in 2024. The first few times we meet, the focus will be on your life and how you have been impacted by what has happened to you. We will work together to figure out how you can get to where you’d like to be. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have about my approach, or the counseling process in general! Send me a message :) Harassment has no place in the workplace - know your rights :) I have additional education and experience in the following: Identity and Parts Work Personality and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Nutrition for Mental Health and Disordered Eating Attachment Theory and Assessment/ Developmental Psychology Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Short-Term Behavioral Health Jungian Therapy Career Development, Work Environments, and Group Dynamics Intimacy, Sensate-Focus, and Couples Counseling Polyamorous, Open, and Alternative Relationship Structures & Dynamics Psychodynamic Therapy Healing from Break-ups and Relationship Grief Imago Relationship Therapy Dream Analysis Child Development and Child-Parent Psychotherapy Adoption Competency Foster-Care/Adoption, Separation/Divorce, and Family Legal Processes Perinatal Mental Health and Post-Partum Depression Intergenerational Mental Health Impact and Collective Consciousness Multicultural Counseling, Role of Culture in Health Practices LGBTQA+ Affirmative Practices Spirituality & Faith Experiences of Death, Dying, Grief, and the After-life Reflective Practices and Supervision Creative Therapies: Art, Writing, and Music Applied Behavior Analysis Meditation and Mindfulness Yoga (Registered Teacher at 200-Hour Level from 2023-2026) and Somatic Experiencing Due to HIPAA law and ethics within the therapy field, all information shared during therapy is kept on the site. I do not save, print, or store any information shared in sessions off of the site in a physical location. I am unable to respond to emails from clients because of the inability to identify the sender of the email. In order to ensure information is kept secure, all requests for information or documentation of therapy must come through the secured portal of your client account. Sessions may not be recorded, although live chat (synchronous messaging) sessions may be saved in the client's online journal for continued reference.

Welcome! Let me first applaud you for reaching out for support, it takes a lot of strength and bravery to do so. Therapy is a wonderful tool to help make positive changes in your life. As a counselor, I feel like the therapeutic relationship is a key aspect of successful therapy. I also believe you are the expert on your life and goals and my role is to provide a safe and empathetic space for you to work towards being your best self. To do so I utilize various counseling theories including person-centered therapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. As a counselor, I will provide you with useful activities that help develop practical solutions and positive coping skills that can be utilized in various areas of your life. My educational background includes a Bachelor's of Science, specializing in psychology, a Master's of Education, specializing in counseling, both of which were obtained from Tarleton State University, and a licensed professional counselor through the state of Texas (Central Standard/Daylight Time). I have 20 years of experience working with families, domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse survivors as well as crisis intervention. I enjoy working with a diverse population, youth and adults alike. I hope to work with you and help you achieve your therapeutic goals!

I am an empathetic clinician who believes the therapeutic process offers solutions, guidance as well as support. Through my years of practice I have developed tools that allow me to help guide you in your healing process. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Qualified Supervisor, Activist, Educator and Community Influencer. I have over 10 years experience elevating voices and inspiring change. Through my approach I empower individuals to accepting who they are while navigating the changes needed in their lives. I believe we are complex individuals; with the right partnership we can create change. I know the importance of a good therapeutic relationship and I am here to offer a safe space where we can navigate life challenges together. I am committed to my clients and their journey. My therapeutic approach can be described as client-centered and use methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused as well as other evidenced based interventions that will help meet the clients needs.

I am licensed in Texas with 7 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with multiple stressors of life/ stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, grief and loss, motivation, poor self esteem, and confidence. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Texas with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress, anxiety, motivation, self esteem, confidence, depression, coping with life changes, concentration, & memory. I also have experience working with focus. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in Texas with 34 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, relationship issues, coping with grief, coping with loss, motivation, self esteem, & confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey. I retired from the Air Force in 1988, and began working in community mental health until 1999, when I started private practice, specializing in severe mental illness for individuals with developmental disorders. I spent a good part of my military career working with individuals with chemical dependency issues. In the past twenty two years, I have experienced significant medical issues; open heart surgery, with ongoing vascular issues, and a two time cancer survivor, with Kidney cancer, and recurring Kidney cancer. I have been cancer free for ten years, but live with that reality. I retired from my private practice over a year ago, but still want to help others, especially those who have issues similar to mine.

As a licensed therapist with two decades of experience, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex life transitions, relationship dynamics, and personal growth. My practice focuses on empowering clients to develop stronger self-understanding, improve communication skills, and build resilience through compassionate, evidence-based approaches. I have extensive expertise in addressing challenges related to stress, anxiety, self-esteem, career difficulties, and life changes. My therapeutic approach centers on helping young adults and women explore their inner strengths, overcome social anxiety, and cultivate meaningful personal connections. My work is deeply rooted in creating a supportive environment where clients can explore their life purpose, develop healthier communication patterns, and learn strategies for self-love and personal transformation. I believe in a collaborative approach that honors each individual's unique journey and potential for growth.

Do you find yourself facing challenges with trust, uncertainty, anxiety, or confusion? It is my belief that individuals possess inherent abilities to identify solutions and resolve personal concerns. However, in today's environment, the abundance of information can make discerning reliable sources increasingly complex. My role is to support you in fostering self-confidence and developing the ability to trust your own judgment in an open and transparent manner. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I assist clients in addressing a broad spectrum of issues, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, adverse childhood experiences, neurodivergence, OCD, and more. I utilize evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy, among others. My approach emphasizes empowering clients by incorporating neuroscience principles to clarify the origins of distress and facilitating solution-focused exploration through psychoeducation. Our initial session focuses on sharing and assessing compatibility. Establishing a trusting relationship is crucial for achieving positive therapeutic outcomes. If you feel comfortable and determine that our partnership is suitable, we will proceed to explore deeper issues and begin the process of healing through understanding.

As a licensed therapist in Texas, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex life transitions, family dynamics, and emotional challenges. My practice centers on helping clients work through grief, communication difficulties, social anxiety, and personal growth. With a compassionate, faith-informed approach, I create a supportive environment where individuals can explore their experiences and develop meaningful strategies for healing. My background focuses on helping older adults and families address interpersonal conflicts, manage life changes, and rediscover personal purpose. I understand that seeking therapy takes courage, and I'm committed to walking alongside you with empathy, respect, and understanding. Whether you're struggling with isolation, shame, or seeking personal transformation, I offer a warm, non-judgmental space to support your journey toward emotional wellness and renewed hope.

Hello, and thank you for checking out my profile! I am fully invested in providing a welcoming environment that promotes and embodies diversity and inclusivity for all. I am currently working exclusively with Texas residents who are new to the BetterHelp therapy platform. I am LGBTQIA2S+ allied, non-binary ally, BIPOC allied, racial justice allied, neurodiversity allied, disability ally, cancer survivorship ally, and a strong supporter of racial healing, transformative justice, and social change. I am not here to fix you because you are not broken. I am here to empower you to uncover your answers and facilitate your self-healing. Everything that I offer aims at guiding you to the core of who you really are. To support you, I incorporate values of freedom of expression, respect for uniqueness and choice, and I utilize embodiment and energy medicine practices, intuition, and imagination as facilitating instruments to identify and move beyond obstacles. I see the body as a powerful instrument for healing the mind and soul. With a background in somatic counseling psychology (body psychotherapy & dance movement therapy), kundalini yoga, mindfulness, meditation, qi gong, ancestral healing practices, and conscious dance movement, I offer a relational and intuitive style that blends creativity with honest, straightforward guidance. My work is holistic and conscious, soul-centered coaching-informed. To address trauma I enjoy working with Somatic Experiencing (SE), ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), and Imagery Therapy. We would work with trauma on a short-term basis with the intention to gently guide you through a focused healing journey that can help you with challenges such as: • Emotion Regulation • Anxiety and Depression • Accountability/Self-Responsibility/Transitioning from Victim to Victor • PTSD-Trauma/Soul Wound • LGBTQIA2S+ (systemic discrimination, stigma, lack of acceptance, etc.) • Cultural Affirmation & Responsiveness • Racial & Ancestral Identity Healing Race (systemic discrimination, stigma, lack of acceptance due to race, ethnicity, or skin color) • Current political climate (profound emotional, physical, and psychological distress caused by current political events that trigger past personal traumas, often manifesting as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, helplessness, rage, shock, numbness, physical aches, etc.) • Self-Esteem, Self-Compassion & Self-Forgiveness • HSP (Highly Sensitive Person) • Codependency • Coping Skills • Self-Esteem • Emotional Distress Syndrome of ADHD • Life Transitions "Traumatic symptoms are not caused by the triggering event itself. They stem from the frozen residue of energy that has not been resolved and discharged; this residue remains trapped in the nervous system where it can wreak havoc on our bodies and spirits." ~ Peter Levine My ultimate goal is to help you “live on purpose” and to remind you that you have a place here, on earth, and in the universe; that you belong. To get there, to reclaim your wholeness, it is imperative to welcome all of yourself; the good, the bad, and the ugly. Consequently, to call back all of the parts of your soul that ultimately belong to you, takes inner work that integrate body, mind, heart, and spirit. Together we can explore new pathways to wellness and personal growth. I am committed to soulful work that empowers and reconnects you to your inner wisdom. All of my offerings are meant to integrate various holistic healing practices in order to orient you in taking more charge of your personal journey. My passion is to facilitate whole person healing; let me know if you would like me to support yours.

As a licensed therapist in Texas, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My practice centers on helping clients develop self-love, explore life purpose, and work through challenging experiences like relationship transitions, workplace stress, and personal growth. I bring a compassionate, holistic approach to addressing anxiety, self-esteem challenges, and life changes. My therapeutic style focuses on empowering individuals to understand their unique strengths and develop meaningful coping strategies. Whether you're experiencing mood fluctuations, relationship difficulties, or seeking personal transformation, I'm committed to creating a supportive, non-judgmental space for your healing journey. My expertise spans diverse areas including women's and men's issues, sexuality, caregiver stress, and personal identity exploration. I believe each person has inherent resilience and wisdom, and my role is to help you reconnect with your inner resources and move toward more authentic, fulfilling experiences.

As a licensed therapist in Texas, I specialize in supporting individuals navigating complex emotional landscapes. My professional approach centers on helping clients work through depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, and trauma-related experiences. I'm committed to creating a compassionate, affirming therapeutic environment where individuals can explore their inner strengths and develop meaningful strategies for personal growth. My clinical practice is grounded in evidence-based techniques that honor each person's unique journey. I understand that seeking support takes courage, and I approach every client interaction with deep respect, empathy, and professional dedication. My goal is to collaborate with you, helping you build resilience, enhance self-understanding, and move toward the life you envision. Through a person-centered approach, I aim to provide a supportive space where you can explore your experiences, develop coping skills, and cultivate greater emotional well-being. Together, we can work toward understanding your challenges and uncovering your inherent capacity for healing and transformation.

I am a dedicated therapist who helps clients address life’s challenges with clarity and purpose. I work with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self-esteem, communication problems, and personal growth. My approach is client-centered and practical, focused on building skills, resilience, and healthier patterns. I support clients in developing effective coping strategies and improving how they navigate relationships and daily life. I have experience working with workplace stress, young adults, and personal development concerns. My work is focused, goal-oriented, and designed to create meaningful change. I work with individuals who are ready to take an active, structured approach to improving their emotional well-being and personal growth.