Rina Abrams-Dunn
Hi, I'm Rina. I've been a practicing social worker for nearly 25 years and have been independently licensed since 2012. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with adolescents, adults, couples, and older adults in a variety of settings. My experience includes supporting homeless and high-risk youth, foster children and their families, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and active-duty members of the United States Air Force. I believe everyone deserves a life that feels meaningful and fulfilling, and I know that looks different for every person. Life brings unexpected challenges, and you don't have to navigate them alone. My goal is to provide a supportive, respectful space where you feel heard, understood, and empowered to make the changes that matter most to you. I believe that connection, trust, and mutual respect are the foundation of successful therapy. Together, we'll build a relationship where you can feel comfortable being yourself as we work toward your goals.
First session
Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another. I'll spend time learning about what brought you to therapy, what you're hoping to accomplish, and what has or hasn't been helpful if you've been in therapy before. This is also your chance to ask me questions and decide whether I feel like the right fit for you. My goal is to create a comfortable, judgment-free environment where you can begin sharing your story at your own pace.
Strengths
In addition to my professional experience, I bring real-life perspective into the therapy room. I'm a mother of two teenage daughters, I understand the realities of co-parenting, and I'm currently navigating the transition into private practice as a small business owner. These experiences have deepened my empathy and remind me that we're all continually learning and growing. You can expect me to show up authentically, with compassion, kindness, and an open mind. I value honesty and direct communication while always leading with respect and care. When appropriate, I believe humor can be an important part of healing. Most importantly, our sessions are about you, your goals, and creating a space where you feel supported as you move forward.
Ideal clients
I enjoy working with teens, young adults, adults, couples, and older adults who are facing a variety of life challenges. I commonly support clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, parenting concerns, relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, life transitions, and questions related to gender identity. I work best with clients who are ready to actively participate in the therapeutic process, even if taking that first step feels difficult. I believe therapy should be collaborative and client-led, with your goals guiding our work together. My role is to support, encourage, and challenge you when appropriate so you can build the tools and confidence needed to create lasting emotional wellness.
Treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
I have been using the ACT modality for the past 6 years in my work with military members and their families. Similar to CBT, ACT empowers clients to navigate their own thoughts, feelings and emotional responses in order to reduce anxious worry, low mood and 'stuck' responses to life experiences.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
CBT is a classic, evidence-based therapeutic approach wherein you learn skills to implement positive change through small shifts in your thoughts and behaviors. It often includes 'homework' or tasks to practice outside of the therapy session. I have utilized CBT in its various forms (for insomnia, trauma processing, general therapy) for the past 15 years with great success in a wide variety of clients.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-i)
CBT for insomnia is an excellent approach to assess the roots of your sleep difficulties and effect change or improvements with brief cognitive exercises and small changes to your daily or evening routines. I have practiced this intervention consistently for the past 8 years with active duty service members who do not want to rely on medication or sleep aids.
Cognitive Processing (CPT)
CPT is a highly regarded, evidence-based practice for assessing and treating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Like other CBT based interventions, it requires the individual to complete homework and various worksheets outside of session, which we then process and discuss in our follow up. I completed certified training for CPT in 2021 and it has been a great option for many clients looking to heal from sexual assault, combat trauma and domestic/ relationship abuse.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
DBT was designed specifically to support individuals with borderline personality disorder, but it is also very helpful for learning general emotional regulation skills, allowing the client to see that they can be in control of their emotions/ feelings rather than feeling like emotions are always controlling them! DBT also incorporates mindfulness techniques which can be of benefit to just about everyone. I have found incorporating DBT skills in my work with adolescents and young adults to be very productive.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Life Transitions
Other specialties
Child or Adolescent
Grief
Military/Veterans
Parenting
Peer Relationships
Self Esteem
Substance Misuse
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Couples Counseling
Elders (65 and above)
Family Therapy
Gender-fluid
Individual Therapy
Man
Non-binary
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Transgender
Woman
Doesn't specialize in
ADHD
Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP)
Addiction
Adlerian
Autism
Biofeedback
Brainspotting
Christian Counseling
Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Suicide Prevention (CBT-SP)
Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS)
Dissociative Disorders
Existential
Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
Faith based therapy
Fertility & Reproduction Issues
Forensic Psychology
Gambling Addiction
Gestalt
High Clinical Acuity
Hypnotherapy
Imago Relationship Theory
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Jungian
Learning Disabilities
Medication Management
Men's Issues
Mood Disorders
Narrative
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Neurofeedback
Obsessive-Compulsive (OCD)
Play Therapy
Polyvagal Therapy
Psychobiological Approach Couple Therapy
Racial trauma treatment
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Sandplay
Schema Therapy
Serious Mental Illness
Sex Therapy
Sex Therapy
Somatic
Licensed in
ArizonaLicense LCSW-16513