Dawn DeLisa Novotny MSW, LCSW, MTS, CDP, CP, Is a clinician, teacher, author, spiritual director and national workshop leader. She is in private practice in Sequim, WA. Since 1987. She specializes in systems theory focusing both on the “external” (family, cultural, roles) as well as the “internal” family system (internalized roles, parts, archetypes, ego states, internal conflicts, etc.). As a clinical practitioner of psychodrama, sociometry and group therapy, Dawn utilizes a variety of action methods. She conducts workshops in CA. and WA. She holds Masters Degrees in Clinical Social Work, Theology and is State Certified in the field of chemical dependency. She completed a two year post-graduate program in Spiritual Direction sponsored by the Jubilee community for Justice and Peace and the Vancouver school of Theology. She was an adjunct professor at Seattle University and past instructor at Peninsula Community College. She is a nationally certified psycho-dramatist and completed the advanced Internal Family Systems training in 2004.
FAMILY & CHALLINGES
Dawn lives with her beloved husband of 33 years.
She is the mother of three biological children, two step-children and
six grandchildren. She has a wide range of experience with blended families. Additionally, she is the mother of adult
twin sons, both of whom heroically struggle with developmental and
psychological disabilities. Dawn has 23 years of sobriety.
HOBBIES AND FAVORITE THINGS
Racquetball, swing dancing, camping, reading, snorkeling, family, coffee
with close friends, shopping, kayaking, giving and attending workshops,
writing, watching movies, shopping, hanging out with her husband and
trying to sort out her challenging love of quantum physics.
CANCER THRIVER
Dawn is a breast cancer "thriver" vs. survivor. She had a mastectomy
in February of 2004. During her impending surgery and protracted medical
treatments, which included chemo therapy and radiation, she was inspired
and supported by incorporating aspects of the Internal Family System’s
model. Click here to view her experience.
"And breast cancer is a dance of initiation, for no woman who dances
with cancer is ever the same. She has visited the source and tasted the
waters of life and death, savored the sweetness and the sharpness of
her own mortality, and tasted her desire to survive.”
(pg. Xiii) Breast Cancer? Breast Health! Susan S. Weed)
Indeed this experience illuminated her life, deepened her commitment to Spirit and Self; healing's with loved ones and re-directed her chosen life work. Her gifts, talents, creativity, expressive art forms all culminated in her special abilities to facilitate large workshops.
SPIRITUALITY
Dawn initially aspired to be a minister. However, her personal and professional
journey led her to profession in counseling. As synergy would have it, her deep
and profound love of Spirit or “The Eternal Mystery” is
perfectly complimented in her workshops using the Internal family System’s
model which posits that ”everyone has at the core, at the seat
of consciousness, a Self that is different from its parts” R.C.
Schwartz. For Dawn, a description of Spirit that is most in alignment
with her understanding is captured in the following quote:
THE SELF
"The Self…is not born. It does not die. It is neither cause nor
effect. This Ancient One is unborn, imperishable; though the body be
destroyed, it is not killed…Smaller than the smallest, greater
than the greatest, this Self forever dwells within the hearts of all".
The Katha Upanishad (One of India’s wisdom traditions dating back to between 1500-5000 b.c.)
Please feel free to contact Dawn for additional information
Click HERE to read some endorsements about Dawn's Workshops