- Client-Centered approach
- Psychodynamic work
- Solution-Focused options
About Dawn
Dawn Pesso is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) practicing in California with 20 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, depression, and life changes. Dawn also addresses anger, addictions, parenting concerns, career questions, and compassion fatigue.
She uses Client-Centered and Psychodynamic approaches and will draw on Solution-Focused or Existential methods when they fit a client's needs. Sessions emphasize clear conversation about what is happening now and how past patterns affect present reactions. Dawn aims to help people understand the feelings that drive their behavior so they can make different choices.
People often come to her at turning points - after a loss, during relationship uncertainty, or when a career shift raises big questions. She listens with attention and helps clients identify practical steps forward. Work can include sorting through communication problems, control issues, codependency, and struggles with guilt or shame.
Sessions can look at how body symptoms relate to emotional stress, such as somatization, and address eating concerns and bipolar-related challenges without promising specific outcomes. Dawn also supports people dealing with abandonment, forgiveness, and finding life purpose as part of broader therapy goals.
Her approach is conversational and steady. Clients who want to talk through anger, set clearer boundaries, or reduce repeated patterns will find therapy that focuses on understanding, practical options, and ongoing reflection.
How her approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what the client says. It helps people feel heard, clarify feelings, and make choices about how to respond to anger and relationship stress.Psychodynamic Therapy looks at how past patterns shape current reactions. It can help uncover repeating dynamics that fuel resentment, control issues, or repeated arguments so people can try different behaviors.
Finding the right approach is part of the work. Dawn will collaborate with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, needs, and preferences. That means starting with what feels most relevant and adjusting as sessions progress.
Confirm the specific session formats before booking, as the biography does not list formats. In general, online sessions can make scheduling therapy easier by fitting into a work break or reducing commute time. They also allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and offer options for sessions that do not require being on camera if that helps someone engage. Licensed professionals can tailor session length and pacing to match daily life while focusing on practical steps for handling anger and related concerns.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she work with related to anger?
She helps people address anger alongside relationship strain, resentment, control issues, and communication problems.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She practices Client-Centered and Psychodynamic approaches and may add Solution-Focused or Existential methods when useful.
How long has she been practicing?
She has 20 years of experience in the counseling field.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a CA LMFT, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California.
Does she work in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients schedule with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions billed or priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to start a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.