Dawn Womack, MSW, LCSW.

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Alex Shink

July 21, 2023

1. What's your practice focus and what kind of clients knock on your door ?

My practice has historically focused only on children and adolescents. While I still am passionate about working with children and adolescents, I have shifted from in-person therapy to virtual therapy and I have modified my practice to treat clients 12 years old and older, including adults. My typical clients seek services for trauma, anxiety, depression, and behavior concerns. My speciality is trauma focused therapy and I am a Consultant-In-Training for EMDR.

2. Tell us about yourself.

I struggled as a teenager and made a lot of poor decisions that affected my adult life in many ways. My mother is a social worker and encouraged me to take a social work class in college. I instantly knew that I'd found a career that was perfect for me and would allow me to offer the support to kids/teens and help them understand and cope with their feelings and make healthier life choices. What motivates me each day is seeing the positive impact their therapeutic relationship has on my clients.

3. Tell us the story of a patient who you are most proud of helping.

I can't think of just one patient i'm most proud of helping, but I am very proud of the trauma work I have done, especially using EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Using EMDR, I have helped patients to heal and cope with traumatic memories which allows them to live their lives to the fullest, which is very rewarding for me.

4. What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice?

One of the hardest things that comes with being a practitioner in private practice is setting healthy boundaries for yourself. I have a high volume of patients calling to request services and while it is hard to decline services to some, I know I wont be able to provide effective services if I don't make sure I have time to myself as well as time for my family and friends.

5. What are the top 3 tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today?\

The top 3 tips I would give anyone looking to start, run and grow a private practice today are:

Meet with a practitioner and get an understanding of all of the aspects of private practice (credentialing, billing, scheduling, forms, etc.)
Consider starting virtually now that telehealth is more acceptable and save on the costs of renting an office before you have your clientele established.
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