clinical counselor • speaker • educator
Dawn Friedman MSEd
I believe that for families to thrive, they need more than just general advice—they need clarity, practical strategies, and deep clinical insight. With over 30 years of experience working with children, parents, and fellow professionals, my mission has always been to help families navigate their most complex challenges with confidence
My work focuses on:
• Comprehensive Evaluations: Providing diagnostic clarity for children, teens, and adults.
• Specialized Treatment: I have advanced training in SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for anxiety and OCD.
• Family Support: Helping individuals and couples navigate depression, anxiety, and life adjustments.
In 2012 I opened my private practice serving families in Columbus Ohio.
Since moving to the Poconos in 2023, I recognized the tremendous need for accurate, affordable ADHD assessments for kids, teens and young adults and shifted my practice to meet that need.
My commitment to the field extends to training the next generation of professionals. I served as an Adjunct Instructor at The Ohio State University, teaching human development and family studies. I also regularly present at state and national conferences on topics ranging from adoption-related grief and infant mental health to weight bias in counseling.
Long before I was a counselor, I was a writer. My insights on parenting and family life have appeared in publications like Yoga Journal, Salon, Parenting, and Greater Good
. I have also contributed to several books on adoption and motherhood. Whether through a published article or a social networking site for parents of children with special needs, I have always sought to create spaces where parents feel heard and supported.
Education and Credentials
Certification in Infant-Toddler Mental Health – Arcadia University
MSEd in Clinical Counseling – University of Dayton
BS in Sociology – Portland State University