Dorothy Pedro, LCSW

Dorothy Pedro is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California and Arizona with 25 years of professional experience. She works with people dealing with grief, trauma, addiction, stress, anxiety, depression, parenting challenges, relationship and family concerns, and life transitions. Dorothy also supports those facing health-related issues, chronic illness, and caregiving burdens.

Her style is practical and direct. She draws on years in acute care hospitals where she managed grief, suicide risk, and sudden medical crises. That work taught her to help people and families make immediate plans and handle urgent decisions while also thinking about longer term goals.

Dorothy uses methods that include cognitive behavioral strategies, acceptance and commitment principles, dialectical behavior techniques, attachment-focused work, and client-centered listening. She often applies systems theory for family situations, looking for changes in one part of life that create positive shifts elsewhere. Motivational interviewing is a tool she uses to help people set realistic goals and follow through.

She has experience coordinating with schools, courts, and child protective services, and has worked in school-based homeless programs and with military families. Dorothy has provided individual counseling, couples work, family sessions, and group formats. Her approach balances brief supportive interventions with longer work when needed.

To begin, she asks people to identify practical steps and goals. Sessions focus on problem-solving, communication, and safety for family members. Dorothy aims to connect clinical skills with everyday life pressures like work, money, and caregiving demands.

How therapeutic approaches guide online sessions