Dawn Hermann, LLMSW

Children (ages 5+)
Adolescents
Adults
Couples
Families
Not currently offering co-parenting services
ADHD and Autism (neurodivergent-affirming care)
Parenting and family support
Public service professionals and helping professions
(EMS, Fire, Police, Healthcare, Teachers, Caregivers)
Secondary trauma exposure
PTSD and anxiety
Relational concerns (divorce, custody support, domestic violence trauma)
Grief and loss
Life transitions
Women across reproductive phases and birth trauma
LGBTQIA+ affirming care
Identity exploration and religious/spiritual considerations

About My Work

I am passionate about working with children, teens, adults, and families who are exploring neurodivergence and how it shows up in daily life, relationships, and identity. I take a relational, client-centered approach to therapy, meeting people where they are and honoring their capacity for growth in that season of life. My goal is always to foster trust, connection, and meaningful understanding—of ourselves and of one another.

I am a retired paramedic, and I carry a deep heart for serving those who serve. I work closely with public service professionals and helping professionals, including EMS, Fire, Police, healthcare workers, teachers, and caregivers. I understand the weight of secondary trauma and the toll that high-responsibility roles can take, and I believe those who hold space for others deserve a safe, judgment-free space of their own.

Within my work with neurodivergent individuals and families, I use a collaborative approach that includes individual support, parent education, and family involvement as needed. When working with children and adolescents, I prioritize building trust and understanding first. Therapy may include play, art, games, movement, emotional exploration, or conversation—because your brain is unique, and our work should reflect that. Sessions are shaped around sensory needs, capacity, and where you are in your neurodivergent journey.

Clients often come to me for support with ADHD, autism, trauma, anxiety, grief, relational challenges, domestic violence recovery, and major life transitions. I also work with women across different phases of their reproductive journey, including birth trauma, and I provide identity-affirming care for LGBTQIA+ clients. My work is trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, and grounded in compassion for the complexities of being human.

I draw from CBT, ACT, trauma-informed care, person-centered therapy, solution-focused approaches, and identity-affirming frameworks. Regardless of modality, I believe therapy should support communication, growth, and deeper self-understanding—not pressure or perfection.

In the first few sessions, we focus on getting to know one another. We’ll explore your history, current concerns, and what you’re hoping to gain from therapy. If we feel like a good fit, we’ll begin shaping goals and identifying approaches that feel supportive and realistic. When working with neurodivergent children or teens, building rapport may take time, and that’s okay—we go at a pace that respects safety, trust, and nervous system needs.

I believe the most important parts of the therapy relationship are trust, rapport, and communication. Feeling understood and respected opens the door to deeper healing, trauma processing, and self-discovery. Clients often share that they appreciate my willingness to meet them where they are, support them through moments of conflict or distress, and celebrate wins—big and small. When the world feels heavy and hope feels hard to find, we look for it together.

Outside of therapy, I am an avid reader with special interests in birds, hiking, water creatures, mythology, cryptids, social justice, cooking, and art. I love to sew and hand-quilt, finding the repetition soothing and grounding. I recharge through time outdoors, trips to used bookstores, creating art, and enjoying good coffee, dark chocolate, and a wide range of music.

I have been in therapy myself. I am a neurodivergent parent, a step-parent, a retired public service professional, and I began my parenting journey as a single parent. These lived experiences shape my empathy and deepen my understanding of how hard it can be to find a truly safe space. Providing that space for another human is an honor, and I am deeply committed to supporting my clients with care, respect, and authenticity.