Getting to know Dr. Dionne Hawkins-White

How would you describe the way you work?

I work with perfectionists and high achievers who may look like they have it together on the outside but feel anxious, overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected on the inside. You might be navigating relationship difficulties, perfectionism, people-pleasing, major life transitions, big emotions, or uncertainty about who you are and what you want. Sometimes you already know what the problem is; you just don’t know how to change it. You’re aware that you overthink things, put too much pressure on yourself, avoid hard moments in relationships - but find yourself repeating the same patterns. I can help you understand how those patterns came to be, how they show up today, and how to respond differently. I believe insight and practical change work hand in hand. Sometimes understanding yourself more deeply is what allows meaningful change to blossom.

I tend to be curious, warm, and gently direct in my work. I want you to feel understood without therapy becoming simply a place to talk about what’s wrong. We can explore your identity, relationships, and how family and cultural experiences have shaped how you move through the world. I’ll listen intently, offer my perspective when needed, challenge you to think differently, and help you discern what’s keeping you stuck so you can move toward your goals. I also believe therapy should extend beyond the session, so we may use concrete strategies to translate what we’re exploring into your everyday life

Ultimately, I see therapy as something we create together. You bring your lived experience and expertise about yourself; I bring clinical knowledge, curiosity, and a commitment to helping you understand and navigate what you’re going through. Early in our work, that may mean teaching you new skills, identifying your values and attachment style, learning practical tools to manage burnout or boundaries, or just bringing some relief from what brought you to therapy. My goal is not simply to help you feel better, but to help you build a life that feels more authentic, aligned, and sustainable. A life that feels more like your own.

How do you approach culture and identity as a therapist?

I believe your experience of culture and identity is part of your mental health story. Who we are, where we come from, the communities we belong to, and the messages we have received about ourselves all shape how we understand ourselves, our relationships, and what we believe is possible for our lives.

I’m particularly interested in the ways identity can become complicated when we find ourselves navigating different worlds, expectations, or versions of ourselves. As a 1st gen Jamaican woman living in the U.S., I know what it can mean to move between cultural contexts and to hold multiple identities at once. We might explore what it means to be part of your family or culture, how you experience your racial or ethnic identity, the roles you have learned to play in relationships, or the ways you have felt pressure to change, hide, or deprioritize certain parts of yourself to belong. We can also make space to celebrate, cultivate or strengthen the joy, pride, and connection that come from all of who you are.

I also pay attention to how broader systems and cultural messages can shape the way you see yourself. We might work to separate feelings of shame and guilt from experiences that are actually rooted in racism, sexism, discrimination, and other forms of oppression. We may challenge internalized messages about who you’re supposed to be, while developing a kinder and more authentic sense of self. We can also identify affirming relationships and communities, create space for meaningful action or advocacy when it feels right for you, and explore what it means to live in alignment with your values. My hope is that therapy can be a place where you don't have to edit yourself to be understood. 

What types of therapy do you use?

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

• Attachment-focused Therapy

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Mindfulness-Based Techniques

• Multicultural Therapy

• Psychodynamic Therapy

• Relational Cultural Therapy

• Trauma Therapy

What’s your session fee and do you accept insurance?

I am an out of network provider and my fee ranges from $225-250/session. As a therapist committed to equitable access to therapy, I also have a small number of sliding scale spots that you can ask about.

Our practice has partnered with Mentaya - a service that can check what out of network insurance benefits you have for therapy and provide an immediate estimate. Check here.

Education & Professional Training

Dr. Dionne Hawkins-White earned her doctoral degree in counseling psychology from Indiana University, after earning a master’s degree in mental health counseling from the same institution and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from SUNY-Plattsburgh. Prior to joining the practice, Dr Hawkins-White worked in higher education and university counseling settings. She specializes in perfectionism, emotion regulation, attachment and interpersonal patterns, early career stress, and Black mental health. Dr. Hawkins-White is also committed to therapy with a multicultural lens, in addition to using psychodynamic, ACT, and CBT approaches with the adults she works with. She has enjoyed supervising graduate psychology trainees and mentoring women in STEM. She is an APA member of the Society for the Psychology of Women and passionate about community service.