Founder of FrontLine Wellness Center (FWC)
First Responder Psychotherapist, LCPC, EMT-P
Dawn is a retired paramedic of 27 years from the Chicago Fire Department with over 30 years of experience in Fire-EMS service. She graduated with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a concentration in Trauma and Crisis Intervention. After graduating from TCSPP, Dawn worked under Dr. Carrie Steiner at First Responders Wellness Center in Lombard, Illinois, specializing as a First Responder therapist.
Dawn’s educational and clinical experience is C-PTSD (Complex Trauma) and PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorders). She treats distressing symptoms and issues that arise from critical incidences and unresolved traumatic experiences including combat/moral injury, childhood abuse, sexual assault, and domestic abuse/relational trauma.
Dawn's experience and education allow her to treat other overwhelming life experiences and transitions that can significantly influence or contribute to a bad day, a bad shift, or a bad year. Effects of aging, retirement, divorce, addiction, chronic pain, and disabilities are just a few life transitions and adjustments that can affect interpersonal relationships, job performance, and daily living.
Dawn’s theoretical orientation is integrative and evidence based. She incorporates TF-CBT (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy) and MB-CBT (Mindfulness-Based cognitive behavior therapy) techniques, is trained in EMDR and is certified in telehealth therapy.
P.S. Dawn's most meaningful accomplishment is being the proud mother of 2 amazing, beyond smart, beautiful daughters.