LEARN HOW TO TURN YOUR SENSITIVITY INTO A SUPERPOWER
Therapy For People Pleasers, Perfectionists & Highly Sensitive People in Bel Air & Maryland
You’re the reliable one, always showing up for others, always struggling to say "no" — but inside, you’re overwhelmed and exhausted. It's time to finally show up for yourself! Therapy can help you learn how to honor your sensitivity, unlearn the pressure to be perfect and finally set healthy boundaries without guilt.
You’re Always There for Everyone Else — But Who’s There for You?
You say yes when you want to say no. You bend over backwards to avoid letting anyone down. You overthink every interaction, worry you've said the wrong thing, or feel totally drained from trying to be perfect all the time.
Maybe you’re the one everyone turns to, but inside you’re running on empty. You might even feel resentful, exhausted, or like you’ve completely lost sight of who you are in the process of trying to please everyone else.
Whether you identify as a people-pleaser, perfectionist, empath or highly sensitive person (or maybe all four), it can feel like the world was built for someone else – someone tougher, louder, less affected. And you’re the anomaly that just doesn’t “fit” …
But the truth is, your sensitivity, your deep care, and your emotional awareness aren’t flaws — they’re strengths. You just haven’t been given the tools to work with them yet.
Imagine what it would be like to say no without guilt — not because you’ve stopped caring, but because you’ve learned to care for yourself, too. To set boundaries with confidence, knowing they protect your energy and allow you to show up more fully. To stop replaying every conversation and instead trust your intuition and inner wisdom. To live in a way that honors your sensitivity, your insight, and your depth — not suppresses it.
To finally feel like your empathy is a gift, not a burden.
If that feels hard to picture, you’re not alone. When you’ve spent years in survival mode — always performing, pleasing, or perfecting — it’s hard to imagine anything different. But change is possible – I know, because I’ve lived it myself.
ABOUT ME
Hi, I’m Dawn - a licensed therapist, and yes, a recovering people pleaser and perfectionist too!
I’m Dawn Gomez, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW-C). I specialize in helping individuals like you get to the root of what’s going on – not just cope with symptoms – so you can create meaningful, lasting change.
And here’s the thing: I get it – not just professionally, but personally too. As a highly sensitive person, I have spent a lot of my life navigating people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the constant pressure to “get it right”. I completely understand how exhausting and isolating it can feel. That’s part of why I do this work. I know how transformative it can be when you finally feel safe enough to unpack it all with someone who truly gets it!
In my work as a therapist, I draw from a range of other evidence-based approaches like EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Brainspotting, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction — all tailored to your specific needs.
My style is compassionate, honest, and human. You won’t find judgment here — just support, understanding, and a space where your needs get to come first for once.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR "WHY"
How Therapy Can Help You Untangle Patterns Of People-Pleasing & Perfectionism
People-pleasing, perfectionism, and high sensitivity aren’t random traits — they often develop as protective strategies. Maybe you learned early on that being helpful, agreeable, or “perfect” is what kept you safe, how you received love or avoided conflict. Or perhaps your sensitivity made you hyper-aware of others’ needs and emotions, so you adapted by putting yourself last.
In therapy, we look at where these patterns came from – not to blame the past, but to understand it. Once you see and understand the “why” behind your patterns and your behaviors, it will become much easier to loosen their grip and make healthier choices.
Through using a variety of my integrative approaches (such as EMDR, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, Internal Family Systems, Brainspotting or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), we’ll work to gently rewire the beliefs and responses that no longer serve you.
In addition to identifying some of the root causes and early experiences that may have shaped your patterns today, we will also look at what you can do in the present day to cope with the effects.
You will learn about the connection between your sensitivity and nervous system regulation. How to notice when you shift into a fawn or freeze response and what you can do to shift back out of it. As well as way to build a stronger relattionship with yourself that is based on compassion, not criticism.
When you begin to unlearn these patterns and build new ones, you’ll notice real changes: more peace, more confidence, more energy for yourself. You’ll still care deeply — but you’ll be able to set healthy boundaries when needed and you won’t feel like you’re constantly carrying the emotional weight of the world.
HOW TO WORK WITH ME
Flexible In-Person and Online Therapy Options To Suit Your Unique Needs
Local In-Person Therapy In Bel Air and Surrounding Areas
For those who prefer face-to-face sessions, I provide a warm, welcoming space where we can work together to address your challenges and goals. In-person therapy allows us to engage directly in a safe, supportive environment, where I can offer personalized guidance and foster deeper connections to your healing process.
Online Therapy Across The State of Maryland
For those with busy schedules, mobility issues, or those living outside the immediate area, online therapy offers the convenience of receiving support from anywhere in Maryland. No need to worry about long commutes or scheduling conflicts—online therapy allows you to prioritize your mental health in a way that fits seamlessly into your life.
In-Person Therapy Intensives In Bel Air, MD
For clients looking to address specific issues more intensively or who would like to come in from out-of-state, I offer therapy intensives in Bel Air. These sessions are ideal for those who are interested in a highly-concentrated and immersive experience, allowing for the same amount of healing in a shorter period of time.
Cost & Payment Options
Insurance
I currently accept Cigna insurance. For other insurance providers, I’m considered out-of-network, but I can provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance for reimbursement, as long as you have out-of-network benefits. If you'd like to check out your out-of-network benefits and reimbursement rates, you can do so here.
Private Pay
The cost for individual therapy is $150 per session for private pay clients. Many clients intentionally choose to pay out-of-pocket for a variety of reasons. If you're curious about the benefits of private pay over insurance-based therapy, be sure to check out the additional info here.
WHAT TO EXPECT
What Lies Ahead On Your Path to Healing
Healing is a journey, and therapy can provides a structured, step-by-step approach to help you process and move past what’s been holding you back. Here’s what the process looks like:
1
Free Consultation – Let’s See If We're A Good Fit
We’ll start with a free consultation where we discuss your goals, concerns, and what brings you to therapy. This is a chance for you to ask questions, get a sense of whether we're a good fit and decide if therapy feels like the right choice for you.
2
Getting Started – Building a Strong Foundation First
Before diving into any of the deeper therapeutic work, we'll take the time to explore your history and focus on immediate symptom relief. This phase includes learning coping strategies, relaxation techniques, and grounding exercises.
3
Let's Heal - Time For Tailored Treatments
We’ll decide together what treatments (EMDR, ART, etc.) feel right for you and I’ll guide you through any of processes. After each treatment phase, we’ll take some additional time to reflect on your experience and your progress and decide how to move forward.
4
Long-Term Support -Sustaining Your Progress
Our work together continues beyond the treatment phase. I will help you integrate everything you’ve learned into daily life, offering ongoing support as you learn to adjust to your new reality and continue building a healthier, more fulfilling future.
YOU MAY WANT TO KNOW
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Will therapy actually work for me?Therapy can be highly effective, but its success depends on factors like your openness, commitment, environment and the therapeutic relationship. Healing isn’t always linear or guaranteeed, but with the right support and approach, I've seen incredible results with my clients. So meaningful change and lasting transformation is definitely possible.
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Can you help me if I’ve tried therapy before and didn’t find it helpful?Yes! Every therapist has a unique style, and sometimes it takes finding the right fit or approach. If past therapy didn’t resonate with you, we can explore what wasn’t helpful and tailor our work to meet your needs more effectively.
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How can I tell if you’re the right therapist for me?The best way to know is to schedule a consultation so we can meet and see if we’re a good fit. In our initial conversation, we’ll discuss your needs, my approach, and any questions you might have about the process. It’s important to feel safe, heard, and understood in therapy so I definitely want to make sure we both feel like it’s a good fit.
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When are you available for sessions?My hours are: Monday: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 6pm Tuesday: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm Wednesday: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 6pm Thursday: 10am - 12pm, 1pm - 5pm
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What are your qualifications?I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Maryland. I have worked in community mental health and in private practice. I am certified in EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) and ART (accelerated resolution therapy). My approach is trauma-informed, compassionate, and sometimes even sprinkled with humor - because healing doesn’t have to be so heavy all the time.
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I want to work with you but what if I’m not ready to face and work on certain issues?I completely get that. Opening up can feel vulnerable, especially if you've felt unheard or dismissed in the past. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, seen, and accepted exactly as you are. Therapy isn't about judgment, it's about understanding what you're going through and working together to help you heal. My first priority is always for you to feel safe so you'll only ever need to talk about what you feel comfortable sharing.
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How long will therapy take, and how will I know if I’m making progress?This really depends on your goals, history, and how deep we need to go. Some people find relief in a handful of sessions, while others benefit from longer-term support. We’ll check in regularly to make sure you’re feeling progress - whether it’s sleeping better, handling stress more easily, or simply feeling lighter. The goal is always to help you feel better, not keep you in therapy forever.
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Will I just talk in therapy, or will I get practical tools I can use?This isn’t just a space to vent (although sometimes that may be exactly what you want/need). I’ll also provide you with practical tools, strategies, and coping skills you can use in your daily life. Whether it’s reframing negative thoughts, grounding techniques, or working through processes like EMDR or ART, you’ll walk away with real ways to help yourself outside of our sessions.
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What if I have to cancel or reschedule — will I be charged?Life happens, and I get that. I do ask for 24 hours’ notice for cancellations or reschedules. Late cancellations or no-shows may be charged a fee since that time was reserved for you.
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What happens if I’m unhappy or feel like it isn’t working?Therapy should feel like a good fit, and if at any point you feel like it’s not working, let’s talk about it. Sometimes we need to adjust our approach, and other times it’s about finding the right therapist for you. I won’t take it personally if you need something different and I may be able to refer you to someone in my network who is better suited for your needs.
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What happens if I have to pause therapy temporarily due to finances, time, or other reasons?If you need to pause therapy, we’ll make a plan to ensure you still have tools to support yourself in the meantime. You’re always welcome to come back when you’re ready. Life has seasons, and therapy should work with where you are, not add stress to it.
Frequently Asked Questions
IT’S TIME FOR A NEW DAWN!
Start Your Journey Toward Healing Today
It is my mission to help you achieve the transformation you desire and feel supported throughout the entire process. I am committed to helping you achieve your goals and navigate any challenges that may come your way. Contact me today to schedule your consultation or ask any questions you may have. Let's work together to achieve a new dawn in your life!