Becoming,
Without Apology.
Strategy over Shrinking.
You are exhausted.
You're exhausted by the invisibility you feel when your needs are the first thing to get cut from the list. You're exhausted by the isolation of feeling like no one understands why you're not okay. And most of all, you are exhausted by the "experts" telling you it's just stress, just hormones, just aging.
You're doing everything you've been told to do, but it only seems to leave you more numb. You know deep down that shrinking yourself smaller isn't sustainable anymore.
You don't need a cure. You need support.
I am not here to help you force yourself back into who you used to be. I don't deal in anti-aging fixes or willpower hacks that feel like punishment rather than understanding, and we will never focus on making you smaller just so you're easier to be around. If it's uncomfortable to keep saying yes to everyone but yourself, I won't suggest you keep doing it.
You aren't giving the people around you a hard time; you are having a hard time. Whether you are navigating a gray divorce, an empty nest, or hormonal shifts no doctor will name, I help you decode what your body and mind are telling you so you can stop surviving and start reconnecting—with yourself.
How We Work Together
In coaching, I work strictly with you. We typically start with an average of 8 sessions, though we adapt to what you need.
1. Decoding the Nervous System
We look past the symptom. I will give you "homework" to notice your own patterns—what is happening 5 to 30 minutes before the rage, the shutdown, the tears? What is pulling on your nervous system?
2. Shifting the Focus
In those first few sessions, women tend to focus only on what's going wrong. I help you see the incredible things you are already doing right, lifting the veil of guilt.
3. Building Capacity, Not Compliance
We look at how giving yourself a little more autonomy goes a long way. (Do you really need to say yes to that commitment? Can you choose the smaller, truer thing instead?)
4. Bridging the Parenting Gap
If you and your partner or family are on different pages about what you're going through, we focus on the shared ground: how much you both want this relationship, this life, to thrive. We explore what's underneath each position to build a unified front.
We drop the blame.
We drop the shame.
We stop apologizing for taking up space, and we build a life that feels like a sanctuary, not a performance.
Policies
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In general, the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a psychotherapist and a client. No information is disclosed without prior written consent from the client. This is done by signing a HIPPA form. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. I am required by law to report to the authorities the following circumstances:
If I suspect that an individual may be involved in child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself. The therapist will make every effort to work with the individual to ensure their safety. However, if an individual does not cooperate, additional measures may need to be taken.
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If you cancel less than 24 hours before our session you will be charged the full fee for that session.
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The therapist is not obligated to make up time due to a client’s lateness. More than 15 minute lateness constitutes a late cancellation and the therapist is not obligated to conduct the session.
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If I am severely ill or have a life-or-death event, I will inform you that I will be absent.
I inform patients of my vacation or conference schedule at least a week in advance.
If I am unable to give a week’s notice of events which will keep me out of the office I will give 48 hours.
Fees
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$200 per session.
Packages are available.
License & Certifications
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Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
EMDR-Trained
PCI Certified Parent Coach
Certified Sex Therapist for sexual assault
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Licensed Professional Counselor #1124769260
Insurance
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I do not take insurance, however I participate in out-of-network insurance programs, which typically cover 50% to 100% of my fee. To see what your insurance company covers, you can ask them the following questions:
Do I have out-of-network mental/behavioral health benefits?
Do I have an out-of-network deductible? If so, how much, and has it been met yet by other medical expenses?
What amount is covered per psychotherapy session?
Please contact me to inquire about your insurance needs before our first session.
Real Stories of Emergence & Connection.
Ready to stop surviving and start emerging?
Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis or a new life chapter, you don't have to do it without a map. Let's look at the patterns, find the root, and build a strategy to get you back to yourself.
Dawn Van Berkel
Trauma-Informed Therapeutic Coaching
Serving Virginia & Georgia for Clinical Therapy. Serving the Globe for Coaching.
Neurodiversity-Affirming | LGBTQIA+ Safe Space
PCI Certified Parent Coach®
HER Coaching provides compassionate coaching in Leesburg, VA and online therapy across Virginia for parents who are navigating life transitions, overwhelm, and family challenges.
Therapist Dawn Van Berkel helps clients heal, grow, and create meaningful change.
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