Dawn Nelson, LCSW-S, ACSW, SAP, CART – Counselor/Therapist

My role as a therapist is to help you make positive changes in your life. Often, coping mechanisms that have worked in the past no longer work, and you are searching for a new solution, or a new situation is overwhelming and you aren’t certain how to handle it. I do not believe that clients need to be shamed or made to feel guilty; you need empathy and understanding. I will help you explore your choices and feelings to enable you to work to resolve the issue in a safe and non-judgmental environment. As your therapist, it is my priority to create a safe and non-judgmental environment.  I do not require a minimum number of sessions because each person’s situation is unique.  Some people seek a one-time consult while others need longer-term assistance to reach their goals.  I also offer therapy intensives which are longer sessions to enable clients to work more quickly than the standard hour appointment.

Treatment Approach

Rockwall Texas about the therapist I use a variety of approaches to address my clients’ unique needs. Many successful treatment plans will utilize a blend of theories which may include behavioral, biopsychosocial, cognitive/cognitive-behavioral, compassion focus therapy, eclectic, family systems, gestalt, interpersonal, narrative, object relations, person-centered, play therapy, psychodrama, psychodynamic, psychoeducational, rational-emotive, social learning, and solution-focused brief therapy.  During our first session, we will tailor a treatment plan and approach that includes tools to help you reach your potential and periodically review it to evaluate if you are reaching your goals.

Education & Credentials:

  • State of Texas Licensed Clinical Social Work, #17785
  • State of Texas Board Approved Social Work Supervisor
  • U.S. Department of Transportation Substance Abuse Professional
  • Certified Anger Resolution Therapist
  • State of Texas Parenting Facilitator
  • State of Texas Professional Mediator
  • Clinical Instructor, Texas A&M University-Commerce
    • 2020 Nominee for TAMUC Professional Service Award
  • State Board of Education Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills Health Education Review Group, 2020
  • 2019-2021 North Central Texas Chair, National Association of Social Workers
  • Member & Former National Exam Question Writer, Academy of Certified Social Workers
  • Member, Council on Social Work Education
  • Member, Texas Council on Family Violence
  • Founding Member, 100 Business Leaders of Rockwall County
  • Past President, Rockwall Women’s League, a 170-member charity organization that has disbursed over $3 million in community service grants and scholarships for local students.
  • Past President, Lake Ray Hubbard and Fort Bend chapters, The Ex-Students’ Association of the University of Texas at Austin.
  • Master of Science in Social Work, University of Texas at Austin
  • Specialization in Children and Families, University of Texas at Austin
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & English, University of Texas at Austin