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DT Portrait of Dawn Tostenson

Dawn Tostenson

Compassionate, evidence-informed care for emotional challenges

LIMHP Nebraska

Experience
6 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English

About Dawn

Dawn Tostenson is a licensed independent mental health practitioner (LIMHP) based in Nebraska who blends evidence-based methods with a client-centered stance to help people navigate emotional difficulties.

Background and approach

With six years of clinical work, she supports individuals facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, and challenges tied to relationships and intimacy. Her practice also addresses a wide range of related concerns such as addictions, bipolar symptoms, grief, sleep problems, parenting strains, career stress, and compassion fatigue.

Her approach draws on cognitive behavioral techniques to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, while also using mindfulness practices and emotion-focused strategies to deepen emotional understanding and regulation. Dialectical behavior therapy skills and motivational methods are incorporated when needed to strengthen coping skills and promote sustained change.

Dawn emphasizes a warm, nonjudgmental therapeutic environment where clients can explore attachment wounds, family of origin issues, communication struggles, and other complex life themes. People who seek her help can expect collaborative goal-setting and practical tools aimed at resilience and clearer self-awareness.

She offers services in English for residents of Nebraska and adapts interventions to each person’s values and circumstances.

Remote approaches that combine skill-building and emotional depth

Many clients benefit from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to distress and learning practical techniques to shift them; this approach is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and sleep difficulties. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a respectful, empathetic therapeutic relationship where the person’s own goals and values guide the work and helps when someone needs space to process life changes and build self-understanding. Dialectical Behavior Therapy contributes skills for managing intense emotions and improving interpersonal effectiveness, which can be helpful for emotional regulation, relationship challenges, and coping with high stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Dawn works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She combines techniques as appropriate and reviews progress together so the plan can be adjusted over time to match changing circumstances.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit appointments into busy schedules and maintain continuity of care across life transitions. These formats allow for ongoing skills practice, check-ins between sessions, and multiple ways to communicate so clients can choose what feels most accessible for them while working with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Dawn commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, addictions, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, sleep difficulties, parenting strain, career concerns, bipolar symptoms, and compassion fatigue among other related topics.
What therapeutic style can I expect in sessions?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative, using evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral techniques, DBT skills, emotion-focused work, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing to tailor treatment to each person.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has six years of professional experience working with a variety of emotional and behavioral concerns in Nebraska.
What are her credentials and where is she licensed?
She holds the LIMHP credential and is licensed in Nebraska with license number NE LIMHP 2639.
Does she provide services in other languages or to international clients?
Services are provided in English only, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
Which session formats are available for remote work?
She offers multiple online formats including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How is pricing handled for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions are accessed through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working with her?
Prospective clients can select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule appointments according to her availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

LGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsGriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPostpartum depressionSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

6+ years

Licensed

Nebraska

Languages

English