Alex Dawson is a psychologist who conducts anger management group sessions for NYPD officers. Dawson works as a private therapist as well, as seen in Unfinished Business, when Baez found out Corporal Russell had been seeing him for PTSD.
Quotes[]
- I have no doubt you're a good dad and a good husband, but how do you plan to keep it all from eventually catching up with you? (Warriors)
- For what it's worth, you don't need to wait 'till you're drowning to reach out for help. (Unfinished Business)
- It wasn't your fault. (Cutting Losses)
- I don't have a magic formula... but I'm able to live my life. (Cutting Losses)
- Have you been dishonest with me so far? (For Whom the Bell Tolls)
- I can tell you from experience that time doesn't speed up the more you check the clock. (For Whom the Bell Tolls)
- I've never been a fan of couches. (For Whom the Bell Tolls)
Biography[]
Not much is known about Dawson as he keeps his personal life out of sessions, although, in Cutting Losses, he mentions he lost the "love of his life" ten years ago.
Season Three[]
In Warriors, Sergeant Gormley sends Detective Reagan to mandated anger management group therapy sessions. Dawson does not react to Danny's snarky comments and discomfort at being there; he simply re-directs Danny and the group to the topic of controlling their anger. Near the end of the episode, Danny goes to talk to Dawson one-on-one, but refuses to "rehash" Fallujah and his brother Joe's death, leading Doc to ask him: "How do you plan to keep it all from eventually catching up with you?"--a question Danny is unable to answer.
Season Four[]
In episode 13, Unfinished Business, Danny calls Dawson for help when Baez discovers the missing Corporal Russell paid out-of-pocket to see Dawson. While walking the tightrope of confidentiality, Dawson provides Danny with information that may help him locate John and Tommy Russell. During the same episode, Dawson presses Danny about his emotional state, getting Danny to tacitly admit that he is "irritable, controlling and throwing himself into work at the expense of everything else."
Near the end of Unfinished Business, after his case ends tragically, Danny calls Dawson for help, as seen in a powerful--though silent--twenty three-second scene.
Season Eight[]
In Cutting Losses, Danny visits Dawson for grief counseling after Linda's death. During the episode, it is noted Danny had been seeing Dawson "for months" prior to the episode. Danny seems to be stuck in denial, as "Doc" tells him: "You've been coming here for months, and you have never uttered the words that she's gone, that she's dead, she's never coming back. It's not healthy, Danny, and you know it."
At the end of the session, Dawson advises Danny to lean on his family for support.
Season Eleven[]
In For Whom The Bell Tolls, Lieutenant Gormley is struggling emotionally. Commissioner Reagan mentions that Danny had gotten some help and orders Gormley to see Dawson. In order to get past the stigma of a cop seeing a "shrink," Frank orders his "dream team"--Garrett, Gormley and Baker--to attend therapy with Dawson. Frank's efforts are futile, as Gormley never makes an appointment with Dawson.
In the closing scene of the episode, Commissioner Reagan invites Dawson to his office. Frank admits the heavy burdens on his shoulders:
"I lost my wife to cancer. My son and daughter-in-law to murder. I've lost 23 of my people in the line of duty. I have a grandson in harm's way and probably had a hand in putting him there. And some days I can't see past that scoreboard."
Gallery[]
Appearances[]
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