Dawn Smith-Theodore
Dawn Smith-Theodore
Locations California Therapists Dawn Smith-Theodore
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Dawn Smith-Theodore(She/Her/Hers)

(She/Her/Hers)
Marriage and Family Therapist, MFT
California•New York
Eating disorders-Substance abuse-College student mental health-Anxiety-Family therapy-Working with dancers-

See Dawn's Details for:

Accepting in-person & online

Out-of-network with insurances

$200-$275

AboutSpecialtiesLocationsInsurance & Fees

Professional statement

Dawn Smith-Theodore, LMFT is a certified specialist in the treatment of eating disorders. Dawn has a private practice in Westwood, near UCLA and Agoura Hills, CA. Dawn works with many high school, college students and adults who are struggling with anxiety, relationship issues and life transitions. Dawn's approach is relational with transparency, compassion and curiosity. Dawn enjoys working with individuals and families in her office and also offers Telehealth as an option. Dawn is licensed in California and New York as a Marriage, Family Therapist.

Dawn worked for seven years at Monte Nido Residential Treatment Center in Malibu, CA with women suffering from anorexia, bulimia and exercise addiction. She has worked as a primary therapist as well as a facilitator of the weekly multi-family group, cognitive behavioral, dance therapy and creativity groups. She worked for 6 years as an Eating Disorder Consultant for Visions Adolescent Treatment Center in Malibu, where she worked with adolescents who suffer from drug addiction, alcoholism in addition to having an eating disorder. Dawn was the Clinical Director of the Eating Disorder Center of California in Brentwood (Los Angeles) for 5 years. Dawn also worked as the National Director of Day Treatment Services for Monte Nido and Affiliates.

She was also an eating disorder consultant at Wonderland Treatment Center in Los Angeles. She appeared on Health Zone with Amy Hendel and Recovery Talk Network as a therapist with a specialty in the eating disorder field. She has also been a guest teacher at Pepperdine University and California State Dominguez Hills. She spoke on a panel about Women’s Issues in Recovery at the Southern California Recovery Summit. Dawn appeared with Tracey Gold in the Lifetime Television show about the treatment of eating disorders entitled "Starving Secrets."

Dawn is an international speaker having recently spoken to the dance department at Boston Conservatory, The Joffrey Ballet School, The Frank Sinatra School of Performing Arts in New York City, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Hollywood Connection, Steps on Broadway, Maria’s Project, Brandywine Ballet, Oklahoma University, Kirov ballet School, The Washington Ballet School, City Dance DC, IADMS in Helsinki, Montreal and Tokyo and The Dallas Conservatory.Dawn is recovered from Anorexia Nervosa herself.

In addition to her work as a therapist, Dawn owned and operated her dance studio, A Step in Time School of Dance in Calabasas, CA for 25 years. During her ownership, Dawn has traveled the globe with her students giving them opportunities to perform at such venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Cruise Ships, the Sydney 2000 Olympics, and The Radio City Christmas Show at the Nokia Theatre. Dawn continues to teach dance and is currently working with dance conventions and Ballet companies to educate them about eating disorders in the dance world. She is the author of the book about dancers and eating disorders, “TuTu Thin”.

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Message to clients

My approach to therapy is compassionate, curiosity and transparency. I see individuals, Families and Couples while using an interactive and collaborative approach to therapy. I see individuals to help them with managing emotions, fears, sadness, depression, anxiety, stress, life transitions, addictions, eating disorders, body image issues,exercise addiction, creating balance, establishing hope and nurturing yourself. I will work on improving relational issues such as dating issues, recovering from a break up, and communication patterns. Learning to set healthy boundaries is key in any relationship. I want to empower my clients by giving them the coping skills they need to live a healthy and successful life.

I am a certified specialist in the treatment of eating disorders, body image issues and exercise addiction. I work with both the family and the individual to work on symptom reduction, communication and the ability to set and respect boundaries within the relationship. I help my clients develop a healthy relationship with food, exercise, family, friends, and most importantly themselves. Learning to trust yourself and trusting others is an important step in the recovery process.I also collaborate with other health providers including primary care physicians, nutritionists, and psychiatrists, to provide the most effective comprehensive care.

I look forward to speaking with you and hopefully having the opportunity to work with you. I am recovered from an eating disorder. I am a former dancer, dance studio owner and enjoy working with dancers with eating disorders and body image issues. I have written a book called "TuTu Thin" which is for young dancers 12 - 22 years as well as parents.

Work and Education

Private Practice
"TuTu Thin, A Guide to Dancing without an Eating Disorder, Author
Dancer Wellness Workshop, International Speaker
Monte Nido, National Director of Day Treatment Services
Eating Disorder Center of California, Clinical Director
Monte Nido, Primary Therapist

Licensure

California: 38561 - New York: 001040 - Hawaii: 716-0

Languages

English

Specialties

Eating disorders - Reducing unhealthy eating patterns, beliefs, and behaviors, such as restricting, purging, and binging; healing the emotional pain surrounding disordered eating

Substance abuse - Reducing and preventing the negative impact of drug and alcohol use and addictions on physical, emotional, and relational health

College student mental health - Specialized strategies for common issues of young adulthood, including school and career stressors, support around healthy relationships, existential concerns, drug or alcohol issues, eating disorders, and anxiety and/or depression

Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)

Family therapy - Promoting communication and supporting family members to address challenges and reduce conflict and distress

Working with dancers - Helping dancers improve and develop healthy relationships with their bodies and food; support in building a balanced life and healthy relationship with oneself

General expertise

Treatment approaches

Clientele

  • Adults (24+)
  • Families
  • Teenagers (13-18)
  • Young adults (18-24)

Locations & Hours

Insurance

    Dawn Smith-Theodore is accepting clients paying listed fees or using health insurance out-of-network benefits other than:

    • Anthem Blue Cross

    Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.

    Out-of-pocket fees

    • Individual sessions:$275 (50min)
    • Sliding scale:$200 - $275
    • Initial session:$325 (50min)

    Additional session information

    Out-of-network billing options

    This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:

    • Super billing
    Payment options
    • Cash
    • Check
    • Credit Card
    • Debit Card
    Session frequency

    Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.

    • Weekly
    • Every other week
    • Multiple times a week
    • As needed