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LCSW

Dawn Cooperstein, LCSW

  • Experience17 years
  • LocationArizona
  • Focus areasLGBT, Trauma and abuse, and Self esteem
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Client-Centered Therapy
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About Dawn

Dawn Cooperstein, LCSW, offers a compassionate, non-pathologizing approach to therapy that centers clients' lived experience and inner life.

Background and approach

With 17 years of clinical practice, Dawn treats emotional distress as meaningful information rather than proof of personal failure, helping people explore trauma, anxiety, depression, addiction, relationship struggles, and identity concerns with curiosity and care. Her background in depth psychology and Jungian ideas complements practical, skills-based interventions to support emotional regulation and self-understanding.

She draws on a mix of methods including Internal Family Systems, DBT, EMDR-informed strategies, client-centered and existential perspectives to tailor work to each person’s needs. Dawn has experience addressing ADHD, bipolar disorder, grief, midlife transitions, parenting challenges, intimacy-related issues, and a wide range of attachment and family-of-origin concerns.

Known for a warm, attuned, and down-to-earth manner, Dawn emphasizes authenticity, autonomy, and reclaiming voice as central parts of healing. Practicing in Arizona, she integrates trauma-informed care and coaching elements to help clients reduce shame, clarify values, and reconnect with meaning during difficult life changes.

Dawn supports clients in developing practical coping skills alongside deeper self-exploration to foster resilience and clearer direction.

Integrating Internal Work and Skills-Based Tools Online

Internal Family Systems helps people notice and dialogue with the different parts of their inner world, which can clarify conflicted feelings and reduce self-criticism; this is useful for issues like shame, attachment wounds, and identity exploration. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, acceptance, and the client’s own expertise, creating a foundation for growth by prioritizing the therapeutic relationship and the client's values. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers practical skills for emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, which can be especially helpful for managing anxiety, intense emotions, or relationship struggles.

Deciding which approach fits best is part of the collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to identify goals, try methods that match their needs, and adjust over time so that therapy remains responsive to changing circumstances and preferences. That collaboration helps blend deeper exploration with concrete coping strategies.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging provides flexible ways to engage: live conversation via video or phone supports deeper processing, while chat and messaging can help with moment-to-moment coping and ongoing check-ins. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care around work, family, and life obligations while accessing licensed professionals who use the approaches described above.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
Dawn works with a broad range of concerns including trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression, addictions, ADHD, relationship and family problems, grief, identity issues, and midlife transitions.
How would you describe the therapeutic style and approach?
The approach blends client-centered, existential, and depth-oriented perspectives with practical, evidence-informed techniques such as DBT and EMDR-informed strategies to support regulation and insight.
What is Dawn's clinical background and experience?
She is a licensed clinical social worker with 17 years of experience using trauma-informed and Jungian-informed ideas alongside skills-based interventions.
Where is Dawn licensed and based?
Dawn practices in Arizona and holds the LCSW credential with licensing details VA LCSW 0904009338 and AZ LCSW LCSW-18532 as provided.
Does Dawn offer services in languages other than English or accept international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for online work?
She provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

LGBTTrauma and abuseSelf esteemCoping with life changesADHD

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoachingCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBDSM, kink, and alternative sex cultureCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDissociationEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsGuilt and shameJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMood disordersNarcissismPersonality disordersPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressSelf-loveSexualitySomatizationWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Existential TherapyEye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Jungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

17+ years

Licensed

Arizona, Virginia

Languages

English