Sarah Dawson, LISW

The lotus flower starts its journey in the mud far from the reach of sunlight. Sooner or later though the bud reaches the surface to blossom into a beautiful flower. No matter how murky or muddy the water, it reaches the surface and in the sunlight unfolds into its truly beautiful form. For this reason the lotus blossom is a great analogy for the human experience. Thus, the lotus is often seen as a symbol of purity, enlightenment, self-realization, growth, and rebirth.

My belief is that we are all lotus flowers and no matter how muddy the water, we can emerge as beautiful blossoms. We often cannot do it alone though. Whether it is trusted family members, friends, spiritual leaders, professionals, or your “tribe.” These connections can provide us with some of that “sunshine” we need in our healing and growth process.

Are you swimming in the pool of shame? Is your healing process stuck? Do you struggle to understand yourself and the world around you? Feeling disconnected, misunderstood, or like you are on the outside looking in? Do you feel unseen or unheard and want a therapist that strives to really see and hear you? Are you looking for a safe, compassionate, and accepting therapy environment to heal? When we feel accepted for who we are and shown compassion, we can do tremendous healing. Feeling seen & heard is powerful tool in the healing process. Feeling isolated and alone can make healing and coping harder. Having someone you connect with and trust to take this journey with you is an important part of the healing process.

My educational background is in psychology and social work. I started practicing in 2015 in community mental health working with wide variety of concerns. I approach therapy as an interaction between two people, not just one of us talking. I often offer feedback, insights, and sometimes direction.

I have experience working with mood disorders/depression, anxiety, ADHD, gender exploration/transitioning, stress, relationship struggles, attachment concerns, self esteem, divorce, abuse (including sexual), complex trauma, developmental/ relational trauma, & PTSD. I have a special interest in working with trauma, including the trauma caused by a toxic person (aka Narcissistic abuse).

I consider myself an eclectic therapist as I incorporate multiple modalities depending on the client’s needs. This includes, but not limited to: Internal Family Systems, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness, and Attachment theory, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Person-Centered & PolyVagal theory. I am also EMDR trained and Certified in Basic Accelerated Resolution Therapy. I am loving how ART is helping my clients heal.

I am spiritual, but not religious. I often refer to a higher power as "the universe," however I am open and respectful to others religious points of view and welcome them into the therapy environment. I am open and affirming, with experience working with gender non-confirming/transitioning populations.

I firmly hold the belief that often times our mental health struggles are not about "what is wrong with us," but instead about "what happened to us." I strive to help client's find a more compassionate view of themselves while exploring how their experiences impacted them and helping them heal from those experiences. I feel honored when someone shares their healing journey with me and believe the work is a collaborative process.

When appropriate, I love using humor, even dark humor, and/or a good swear word in the healing process. Sometimes things or so absurd that all you can do is laugh or the best way to describe something is a choice swear word.

Prior to meeting I will send you intake paperwork through my Electronic Health Record system (EHR). This paperwork will need to be completed prior to our intake session. At our first session we will complete an intake which is a history gathering session. This will help guide us in treatment approach and treatment needs. Intakes typically take around 60 minutes. After the initial session we will discuss frequency based on your needs and what is being addressed. After the intake, sessions are typically 55 minutes; however this may vary depending on the modality being used. This will be discussed more in depth in the first couple of appointments.

I offer both in-person and online sessions. Please note that if you are wishing to engage in Telehealth services you must be physically inside the boundaries of Iowa at the time of our session.