Dawn D’Amico is a psychotherapist, author, and educator. Her keynote speaking appearances and seminars, continuing education credits, and private psychotherapy are provided internationally.  Her speciality is trauma. Locally, she is a preferred provider for Waukesha County Social Services, family court, and juvenile court. 

Dawn has been working in the area of trauma for over 25 years. Her first book, 101 Mindful Arts-Based Activities to Get Children and Adolescents Talking, was reviewed by Harvard Medical School, the University of Chicago, (her alma mater), and the Wisconsin Medical College. Her second book and companion workbook is entitled Trauma and Well-Being Among Legal Professionals, is now available.

Dawn D’Amico’s work has taken her all over the world including to Tanzania, Africa where she worked at Haydon Lutheran Hospital and Hayden Orphanage where she worked with 60 children under the age of 6 who were orphans due to AIDS. Dawn has also taught at the graduate clinical level in the University of Wisconsin System as well as at Delhi University, New Delhi, India. Dawn has received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of Wisconsin- Madison and a letter of commendation from the State Governor.

She has served as a keynote speaker at many events including the Keynote Speaker for the Chief Judges Conference for the State of Wisconsin on Trauma and Mental Health, the Wisconsin Supreme Court, and Canadian Lawyers and Mental Health Association among others. She has also presented at the TATA Institute for Social Sciences, Mumbai, India. She has taught continuing education for lawyers on trauma and alcohol and other drug issues.

Dawn graduated from the University of Wisconsin, the University of Chicago, the Newburgh Theological Seminary, and is a Certified Family Court Mediator.

Areas of Expertise:

Primary Trauma, Secondary Trauma, and Generational Trauma and the myriad of mental health issues that accompany trauma.

Speaking Events

Awards

• Appreciation Award Mental Health Foundation, Australia
• Distinguished Service Award University Of Wisconsin Madison and the Dane County Department of Health and Human Services, WI
• Awarded Special International Lectureship Delhi University, New Delhi, India

Community Engagement

• Mental Health Institute Of European Legal Professionals Advisory Committee
• University of Chicago Alumni Volunteer
• State of Wisconsin Chief Judges Subcommittee on Juror Well-being

Continuing Legal Education

• The Canadian Criminal Lawyers Association – Feb 2021
• The Canadian Mental Health Association – June 2019
• The Waukesha County Guardian Ad Litem seminar – 2018
• The State of Wisconsin Family Law Conference – 2017

Additional Community Education

• Conference International Rescue Association/Chi Mai University
• International Leadership Institute Presentation Children And Families And Storytelling, The Selective Use Of Elements Of The Narrative Model
• Cook County Commission On Women’s Issues Lecture Girls At Risk With Disabilities Not Visible To The Naked Eye
• City Of Chicago Housing Authority Photo Document: Funded By University Of Wisconsin System