Meet Dakota
SERVING LITTLE ONES AND CAREGIVERS FROM BIRTH THROUGH ADOLESCENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL, PARENT, & FAMILY THERAPY
Born and raised in New York City, but I talk quietly and walk slowly
Favorite place is anywhere in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Former competitive swimmer and tennis player
Film photography, and developing my own photos, is my preferred creative outlet
Proud rescue dog owner of Sadie (sweet & sassy Aussie, good girl most of the time)
DAKOTA BECKER, MSW, LCSW
Dakota (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who has been providing therapy services to children, adolescents, and families in Raleigh, NC and the surrounding Triangle area since moving here in 2023. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Wake Forest University, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from The University of Pennsylvania. In alignment with her commitment to lifelong learning, and her belief that children and families deserve the highest quality clinical care; Dakota pursued additional post-master’s training and completed a 2-year fellowship in pediatric mental health at the Yale Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut, where she specialized in treating early childhood trauma.
Dakota has worked with children and families for the entire duration of her career, providing psychotherapy in outpatient community mental health clinics, academic medical centers, children's hospitals, and now in private practice. She deeply believes in the power of safe relationships and feels it is a privilege to get to know her clients and bear witness to their stories.
MY WHY
Dakota has always been interested in the intersection between psychology (science) and philosophy (art), as a way to more deeply understand the human experience and mind. What started out as an intellectual curiosity, developed into a journey of self-reflection, discovery, and compassion; and, ultimately, a profoundly fulfilling career centered on connection, presence, intentionality, authenticity, and meaning-making. The heart of Dakota’s work is in supporting children, teenagers, and their caregiver(s) to explore and enhance their understanding, and connection, to themselves, each other, and their social worlds.
MY STYLE
Dakota’s therapeutic approach is informed by her belief that all healing happens in the context of safe relationships and that parents deserve as much curiosity, nurturing, and understanding as their children do. She specializes in working with children, and the grownups who care for them, on grief, trauma, anxiety, behavioral concerns, and all things parenting. Dakota’s clinical style focuses on relationships: between a child + their caregiver(s), an individual + both their internal and lived experiences, and between her + her client(s). By working with Dakota, you and/or your child can expect to be understood, affirmed, and challenged to grow. Together, you and Dakota will co-create different treatment pathways that honor your and/or your family’s values and move towards relief and restoration.
Advanced Training & Certifications
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (#C016309)
Rostered Provider in Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator
Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT)
Foundations of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) & DBT Skills for Adolescents
Mentalization-Based Therapy
Minding The Baby
Mothering From the Inside Out
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Interpersonal Neurobiology & Polyvagal Informed Therapy
