J Carlin Dawgert

Hi, I'm J! I'm a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 25 years of experience working with individuals and relationships across a range of settings, from community mental health to private practice. My approach is interactive, dynamic, and deeply engaged, because I believe real progress happens when therapy feels like a genuine partnership. Whether you're navigating long-standing challenges or facing something new, I'm here to help you move forward. I currently see clients via Telehealth and can't wait to connect with you!

My approach is warm, compassionate, and direct. I believe that we are often wounded in relationships, and that we heal in them too, which means the therapy relationship itself is central to the work. I integrate multiple evidence-based modalities including psychodynamic therapy, Relational Gestalt, EMDR, DBT, and multicultural, liberation psychology, tailoring the approach to each person's needs and goals. I also believe humor has real healing power, so don't be surprised if we laugh together along the way. Beyond building insight and self-compassion, our work will focus on concrete strategies to shift the patterns, beliefs, and behaviors holding you back.

Your first session is really about us getting to know each other. I'll want to hear what's brought you in, what your life looks like, and what matters most to you. Whether you're working through relationship challenges, just trying to make sense of where you are right now, navigating illness or pain, or exploring what's next in your journey, we'll build your goals together from where you actually are. I'll ask about your background, your community, and the experiences that have shaped you, because those aren't separate from your healing; they're central to it. My hope is that you leave feeling like you've found someone genuinely in your corner.