R. Dallas Newton, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) firmly believes that change is always possible, and that we are continuously growing into our authentic selves. 

At the same time, we may be struggling with a life transition, a loss, or we may be feeling anxious or depressed and can’t seem to get unstuck or make the changes we know that we need to make. 

Dallas is here to help you fully and honestly discover your values, define your wants and needs, and achieve your goals.

Above all, Dallas understands the importance of fostering a genuine therapeutic connection between himself and all of his clients, and continuously strives to establish trust throughout the process. 

Dallas provides individual and couples counseling for adults experiencing a wide range of life challenges including but not limited to anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress (PTSD), trauma recovery, addiction, grief and loss, relationship concerns, LGBTQIA+ issues, academic or work related struggles, obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and struggles with developmental disabilities.  

He is here to support you both online and in-person from our Natick office. 

We sat down with Dallas to learn more about his experience in the mental health field and approach to working with clients in Massachusetts.

What inspired you to become a therapist?

The first counseling psychology class I took in undergrad instantly sparked my interest in becoming a therapist. 

I was studying Rehabilitation Psychology at University of Wisconsin, Madison, and I’d been working with children with developmental disabilities and various other service-oriented activities. Counseling wasn’t on my radar at the time, but I knew after that class that I’d found my calling. 

A few years later, when my wife and I moved from Wisconsin to Massachusetts, I started to volunteer as a crisis counselor and applied to graduate schools for mental health counseling. 

I earned my Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2020, and I’ve been working in the field since.

What did your previous experiences in the field involve?

My initial crisis volunteer work was on an entirely text-based crisis hotline system. People would text the hotline for all sorts of reasons, from having a bad day, to navigating relationship challenges, grieving a loss, dealing with depression, or any other challenge. The experience taught me how to listen to people without judgment, and be there no matter what. 

My primary focus in graduate school was trauma, which led to various experiences working in crisis intervention, substance abuse, and outpatient settings. 

My first internship at school was with Pathways for Change in Worcester, one of the leading rape crisis centers in Massachusetts. My work with the services involved 24 hour crisis intervention, support groups, counseling, and advocacy for Survivors of sexual assault and abuse. 

For several years I worked for Spectrum Health Systems, New England’s leading provider of substance use disorder treatment, helping thousands of people overcome addiction to lead meaningful and productive lives. I learned how to engage clients with group and individual counseling aimed at educating them about substance use disorders, treatment options, overdose prevention, and helping them learn recovery skills.

My experiences in the field have taught me the importance of connecting with people on a personal level without judgment. Mental health issues can affect anyone regardless of their background and identity, and it’s my job to safely support clients through their process of healing and self-discovery.

How would you describe your therapeutic style and approach to working with clients?

My approach to therapy is person-centered and collaborative. My job as a counselor is to create a safe and nonjudgmental relationship with the client, whereby they’ll be able to fully and honestly explore and understand themselves. 

I believe that it’s essential to build a genuine connection between client and counselor, putting aside the expert role of the therapist and engaging in meaningful conversations which empower the client to explore their experiences, and discover their values, wants, needs, and goals. 

I’m able to utilize a variety of evidence-based interventions and therapeutic techniques which may help clients gain greater awareness of, and as a result, become more intentional about their thoughts, feelings, and actions. The interventions I may offer include,

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Mindfulness/meditation
• Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic/Psychoanalysis
• Dialectical-Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT)

As a firm believer in growth and change, I like to offer a solutions-focused approach which may help clients discover solutions to challenges in their lives by utilizing their inner strengths and resources.

What mental health conditions and life challenges can you help people work through?

I’ll help adult clients and couples work through the following mental health conditions and life challenges: 

• Trauma
• Anxiety/Panic/Phobias 
• Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s Counseling
• Depression
• Substance Use Disorder/Addictive Disorders
• Grief/Loss/Bereavement
• Self-Injurious Behaviors/Self-Harm
• Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity (ADHD/ADD)
• Adoption/Foster care
• LGBTQIA+ issues
• Peak Performance/Performance Anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• PTSD/Acute Stress
• Gender Identity
• Academic/Occupational/Work Issues/Career

What’s your favorite part of being a therapist?

An old professor of mine said, “We are the keepers of the best stories that will never be shared.”

It’s truly an honor and privilege to learn the intricate stories and histories of the countless people I work with. 

The connection that’s fostered between me and clients is earned, not given. I’m continually aware of my values and ethics, and practice in a manner that is consistent with them.

What’s something that clients might not know about you?

I’m a ballroom dancer, of all things. 

My wife and I regularly describe ballroom dancing as learning to do the silliest of walks, in a very clear and concise manner.

Start working with R. Dallas Newton, LMHC today:

Whether you’re taking the first step toward improving your mental health, or are in the process of recovery from a major life challenge, R. Dallas Newton, LMHC is here to safely support you through your journey. 

To start working with Dallas online or in our Natick office, contact us today at (413) 343-4357.

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