Dawn Stonebraker, LISW

Dawn Stonebraker is an Ohio licensed independent social worker (LISW) with 16 years of experience. She focuses on helping people take the first steps toward a more balanced and satisfying life. Dawn writes plainly and offers steady support while people work through difficult changes.

She has worked extensively in aging and hospice settings, so she understands grief, loss, and the stress that comes with major life transitions. That background shaped how she helps people cope with anxiety, depression, and the emotional fallout of illness or changing independence. She treats these concerns as common human experiences, not signs of weakness.

Dawn uses practical tools to help clients manage stress and build skills. She draws on cognitive behavioral ideas to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different actions. She also uses acceptance and mindfulness-based strategies to help people live in line with their values even when emotions feel strong.

Her approach is collaborative and person-centered. Dawn views each person as the expert on their life and works together with them to find what fits. Sessions aim to be straightforward, with steps people can apply between meetings.

People often come to Dawn for help with grief, coping with life changes, relationship and family concerns, addiction, caregiving stress, body image, chronic illness, and career strain. She also addresses anger, communication problems, and issues tied to family of origin. Dawn focuses on what will help someone feel steadier and more able to move forward.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online care

CBT, or cognitive behavioral therapy, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors to reduce anxiety and depression. It is often used to teach practical coping skills and change patterns that get in the way of feeling better.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult emotions without getting stuck. It emphasizes values-based action so someone can move forward even when feelings are strong. Client-centered therapy centers the person's own experience and priorities, giving space for the client to guide topics while the therapist offers reflection and support.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Dawn collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals and preferences. The therapist adjusts tools and pacing based on what the client needs and what helps them make progress.

Online sessions can be video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video is useful when meeting face to face helps build connection. Phone calls use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a busy day. Chat and messaging allow shorter check-ins and ongoing written support between meetings. These options make it easier to use CBT, ACT, and client-centered techniques in a way that matches someone's schedule and comfort.