Dr. Denise

Dr. Denise Dawson

Licensed Clinical Social Workers

I'm a licensed therapist and research professor with a background in social work and public health. I enjoy supporting clients facing mental health and chronic illness challenges. Taking the first step isn’t easy but since you're here, take the next one and book a session. You’ll be glad you did!

About Me

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Raleigh, North Carolina. I work with people facing addiction, mood disorders, chronic illness, abuse, and eating disorders. I provide counseling, social work services, and online therapy.

Approach

Sessions move at a steady, practical pace—focused, compassionate, and tailored to the realities of managing mood shifts, addiction, and chronic illness. I meet with adults, couples and parents in Raleigh and across North Carolina, and online in English, creating a predictable, secure space that respects energy limits and daily demands. We set small, achievable goals, practice skills in-session, and translate them into brief experiments between meetings so progress is measurable and flexible. People balancing health, relationships, and recovery often find this approach grounding.
Contact Dr. Denise

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

In-person & Online

Services

Services Offered:

  • Counseling

    A form of talk therapy providing a safe, confidential space to explore feelings, thoughts, and behaviours with a trained professional.

    Learn more about Counseling
  • Relationship Counseling

    Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.

  • Online Therapy

    Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.

    Learn more about Online Therapy
  • Social Work

    A profession that supports individuals and families with mental health, welfare, housing, and access to community resources.

    Learn more about Social Work

Works With:

  • Adults
  • Couples
  • Individuals
  • Parents

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

  • Addiction

    A compulsive dependence on a substance or behaviour, such as alcohol, drugs, or gambling, that causes harmful consequences to health, relationships, or daily life.

    Learn more about Addiction
  • Mood Disorder

    A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.

    Learn more about Mood Disorder
  • Chronic Illness

    A long-term health condition (e.g., diabetes, autoimmune disease, chronic pain) that persists over time and affects physical, emotional, and social well-being.

    Learn more about Chronic Illness
  • Abuse

    Emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment by another person that causes lasting psychological harm and disrupts a person's sense of safety.

  • Eating Disorders

    A group of conditions, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, involving disturbed eating behaviours and a distorted relationship with food and body image.

    Learn more about Eating Disorders
  • School Refusal

    A child or adolescent's persistent inability or unwillingness to attend school, typically driven by anxiety, social difficulties, bullying, or emotional distress.

  • Self-Esteem

    A person's overall sense of their own worth and value. When chronically low, it can drive self-doubt, avoidance, and difficulty in relationships.

    Learn more about Self-Esteem
  • Stress / Burnout

    The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).

    Learn more about Stress / Burnout
  • Women's Issues

    Psychological challenges more commonly experienced by women, including gender-based stress, reproductive health concerns, body image, caregiving burden, and societal expectations.

Professional Title:

  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers

    A social worker licensed to provide clinical therapy, diagnosis, and treatment for mental health conditions.

Credentials

Registrations

Clinical Social Work/Therapist; PhD; Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); LCAS

Clinical Social Work/Therapist

Qualifications

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

East Carolina University

North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board

North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board

Service Areas

Innovation Therapies

In-person & Online

Wake County, North Carolina

United States