As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California, I am dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward healing and growth. Using evidence-based approaches, I integrate mindfulness to foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, and connection to the present. I believe understanding one’s core values is key to setting meaningful goals and overcoming challenges. Specializing in trauma-focused care, I offer a safe, compassionate, and sex-positive space for clients to process past traumas and build a balanced, fulfilling life.
What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?
In the first session, clients can expect a supportive and nonjudgmental space to share what brings them to therapy. We’ll discuss their concerns, goals, and what they hope to gain from the process while exploring their history and any patterns that may be impacting their well-being. I’ll explain my therapeutic approach, answer any questions, and collaborate on a plan tailored to their needs. This session is about building trust, establishing a foundation for our work together, and ensuring they feel comfortable moving forward.
Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.
My greatest strengths as a provider are my ability to create a safe, nonjudgmental space and my integrative approach to therapy. I balance warmth and directness, helping clients feel understood while challenging them to grow. With a strong foundation in trauma-informed care, I adapt evidence-based techniques to meet each client's unique needs. I excel at identifying patterns, fostering self-awareness, and guiding clients toward meaningful change. My goal is to help clients feel empowered, resilient, and aligned with their values.
Describe the client(s) you are best positioned to serve.
I enjoy working with clients who are ready to explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with curiosity and openness. My approach is best suited for individuals struggling with anxiety, trauma, life transitions, or patterns of avoidance who want to build resilience and live more authentically. I appreciate working with those who are willing to engage in self-reflection, challenge limiting beliefs, and take meaningful steps toward change. My clients value a balance of insight and action, and I support them in developing practical skills while deepening self-awareness. Whether navigating past wounds, managing stress, or seeking a stronger sense of identity, I aim to create a space where clients feel empowered to grow.
About Dustin Hawkins
Serves ages
Licensed in
Accepts
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
Acceptance and commitment (ACT)
In my practice, I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help clients develop psychological flexibility by accepting difficult emotions rather than fighting them. Through mindfulness, cognitive defusion, and values-based work, I guide clients toward living meaningfully despite discomfort. ACT empowers clients to take committed action aligned with their values, shifting from avoidance to engagement in life.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress. By challenging cognitive distortions and developing healthier coping strategies, clients gain a greater sense of control over their emotions and behaviors. CBT is effective in treating anxiety, depression, and trauma by promoting practical, evidence-based skills that lead to lasting change.
EMDR
I use Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to help clients process and integrate traumatic memories without becoming overwhelmed. By using bilateral stimulation, EMDR reduces the emotional intensity of past experiences, allowing clients to reframe their beliefs and responses. This approach is highly effective for trauma, PTSD, and anxiety, promoting deep healing beyond traditional talk therapy.
Narrative
I use Narrative Therapy to help clients externalize their problems and reshape the stories they tell about themselves. By identifying dominant narratives and exploring alternative perspectives, clients gain a greater sense of agency over their lives. This approach is especially effective for trauma, identity work, and self-esteem, empowering clients to reclaim their own stories.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
I use Mindfulness-Based Therapy to help clients cultivate present-moment awareness and reduce reactivity to distressing thoughts and emotions. By integrating mindfulness practices, clients learn to observe their experiences without judgment, fostering greater emotional regulation. This approach is effective for anxiety, stress, and trauma, promoting a deeper sense of calm and self-acceptance.