Dorothy Pedro, LCSW

Dorothy Pedro is a licensed clinical social worker with 25 years of experience. She helps people facing addiction, grief, trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, and major life changes. She also supports concerns like parenting, relationship and family strain, sleep and eating issues, anger, self-esteem, and career questions.

Her background includes long work in acute care hospitals where she helped people and families cope with life-changing illnesses and losses. Dorothy uses clear, practical steps to help someone get through immediate crises and to plan next steps. She also uses motivational interviewing to set goals and make steady progress when life feels chaotic.

Dorothy has experience coordinating with schools, courts, and child protective services, and she has worked in school-based programs addressing homelessness. She has provided couples counseling, family counseling, and group work, and teaches parenting skills while learning from parents’ real-world wisdom.

When working with families she often draws on systems theory, looking for changes in one part of life that create positive ripple effects elsewhere. She aims for doable goals and focuses on safety and the well-being of children and adults alike. Dorothy describes therapy as a team effort where people and the therapist work together.

Her style ranges from brief supportive interventions to more intensive work as needed. She listens for both what is said and the emotional energy behind it, then helps guide practical steps forward. If a referral would better serve someone, she will make that recommendation.

How therapeutic approaches shape online work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and focus on actions that match their values. It suits issues like anxiety, depression, and major life changes where clarity of purpose matters.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships affect current connections. This approach can help with intimacy-related issues, attachment difficulties, and family or relationship strain.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Dorothy will collaborate with each person to decide whether ACT, attachment-focused work, or other methods fit their goals. She tailors plans based on the client's concerns, preferences, and what shows progress in early sessions.

Confirm current session options before booking so you know how sessions are offered. Online sessions can make it easier to fit care into a busy life - for example to join a shorter check-in during a break or to avoid travel time. They also allow continuity of care when attending in-person visits would be difficult. Ask about the available session formats and scheduling when you complete the matching questionnaire.