Dawn Schatz (pronounced "shots") is the Owner of Appoquinimink Counseling. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has been a Domestic Violence Specialist in Delaware since the certification's inception in 2001. She is also a certified Gestalt Therapist, having completed her training at the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Philadelphia and is trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
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In her practice, Dawn works with adolescents and adults on a wide range of issues including, but not limited to relationships, life transitions and adjustment, self esteem, sexual orientation, loss and grief, depression, anxiety, domestic abuse and sexual abuse, and trauma. She particularly enjoys working with college students and young adults as they transition into healthy adult roles and relationships.
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Dawn spent the first 10 years of her career as a Therapist and Program Director for a private non-profit organization, where she developed Delaware's only youth dating violence intervention program and first primary prevention program. She has provided therapy services for hundreds of adolescents and adults in abusive relationships and has reached thousands more through outreach presentations and workshops. She has also been honored to work with survivors of sexual abuse and assault along their roads to healing. In addition to her work as a Therapist, Dawn spent many years providing training on the topic of dating violence in Delaware and throughout the U.S.
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Readers of the Middletown Transcript may have followed her monthly "Emotional Wellness" column, which she wrote from 2013-2017 before discontinuing to focus more on her own self care & balance.
Sharon John, LCSW
Sharon John joined Appoquinimink Counseling Services in 2021, bringing over twenty-five years of extensive experience working with individuals and groups supporting pre-teens, adolescents, adults, and families in various settings. She earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and she has helped clients with a variety of issues such as anxiety, social anxiety, ADHD, school issues, stress, depression, relationships, life transitions, self-esteem, sexual orientation, loss, and grief.
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As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Sharon is passionate about helping clients gain freedom from the negative beliefs and past hurts that may be limiting their growth. She offers an eclectic approach, one that is strength-based and problem solution-focused, employing cognitive behavioral, emotional regulation, mindfulness and relational therapy. She is trained in EMDR and is presently working towards EMDR Certification.
