Meet Dawn Bowes, MSW, LCSWA

It’s time to leave stress in the past where it belongs

Therapy for anxiety, ADHD, and career transitions in North Carolina

Nothing changes if nothing changes

I work alongside busy, mid-career professionals who are overworked and underpaid to reduce stress and overwhelm so they can get back to living the life they’re working so hard for

Be/come

Be/come is an invitation for you to come home to yourself.

Be/ and Be/come is a recognition that you are enough exactly as you are, even while you are becoming the version of yourself that you want to show up in the world.

Why we’re here

The Be/come Mission

to help you get back to living the life you're working so hard for.

I believe that everyone deserves to be happy, healthy, and fulfilled in their life and work—and that's why my mission is simple: helping people create balance between their personal and professional lives. When you are feeling your best, you’re able to get your best work out into the world. Plainly, you’ve got shit to do and don’t have time for all this stress, overwhelm, and worry. This is where I come in. With proven strategies and a sense of humor, I can help you find your way back to yourself and why you got into your career to begin with — and thrive.

My vision

I want to co-create a world where we...

  • no longer need to numb ourselves and silence our inner voice asking for us to show up as our full authentic selves

  • are completely disconnected from hustle culture. Where we don't have to be constantly "doing" something.

  • know that we are enough, exactly as we are in this moment.

  • are deeply connected to our sense of purpose and to each other.

That's my vision... are you with me?

Dawn headshot

— ABOUT ME

Licensed Clinical Social Worker & Career Coach

I am fiercely anti-racist, social-justice oriented, body-positive, LGBTQIAP2+ affirming, feminist, pro-labor, culturally responsive, and understanding of non-traditional faith practices.

My story

As a former gifted kid and recovering perfectionist, I’ve spent my life doing too much and never enough.

That is, until I learned how to show myself grace, how to slow down, and how to finally be present in my life without numbing or running.

And now, after 15 years of teaching and working across 5 countries and three continents, earning degrees in Social Work, Peace & Conflict Studies, and Education as well as several specialized certifications, and engaging in a deep meditation practice, I joyfully integrate all of the biopsychosocial strategies and techniques I’ve learned (and tried!) to help my clients free themselves from the stress of everyday life much faster than I did.

Informed by a deep passion for the world and the people in it, I gently challenge my clients to explore and dismantle the habits and beliefs that keep us stuck while honoring the role they played in keeping us safe when we needed them. Together, we create a vision and plan for the future you want and work to bring that life into the present.

My clients are looking for someone who…

  • Is warm, empathetic, compassionate, and kind but won’t waste your time by saying, “That sounds hard. Your feelings are valid. Here, try some breathing exercises.”

  • Has a direct, conversational style and takes the role of a trusted consultant or guide; I am someone to brainstorm with who will respect your autonomy

  • Uses a science-backed, evidence-based, holistic, and biopsychosocial approach.

  • Understands that if your body feels like trash, then you’ll feel like trash; and can help you biohack your wellbeing

  • Holds space for uncomfortable feelings and can support you as you move through them without getting stuck.

  • Recognizes that we are spiritual beings having an embodied experience and that creating meaning and purpose is essential to creating a good life and career.

Working with me will feel like you can finally set down those thoughts and worries you’ve been carrying. I deeply believe in you and your ability to grow through what you go through. But healing doesn’t have to be serious! I will encourage you to enjoy the process and your life, while making an actionable plan to achieve your wildest dreams.

If this sounds like what you’re looking for, let’s meet!

Chronic stress isn’t “the norm”

My wish for you:

  • Close, loving, and supportive relationships with the important people in your life

  • Being fully present in the important moments in your life, whether it's breakfast with your family or an important presentation

  • Spending your time doing what you're uniquely gifted to do, what brings you the greatest joy, and allows you to make your deepest contribution to the world

  • Being highly successful from a space of joy and ease so that you can do more with less effort

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

— Maya Angelou

  • A.G.

    Dawn is one of the most gifted and insightful healers I have had the honor of knowing and working with. She is intelligent, compassionate and a realist. I have and will continue to recommend her to family, friends and clients. If you have lost your joy, this woman can help you find it.

  • L.M.

    Dawn gave me her undivided attention and solved a lot of issues quickly. I look forward to talking to her again but frankly all the anxiety I struggled with for so long is gone and I'm notably at peace and haven't been in crisis since I talked to her.

  • P.P.

    I had an amazing session with Dawn I can’t thank her enough for. She came at the time when I was in very difficult place and couldn’t find anything that can help. She was like gift to me good at calming and soothing my state, and bring regulation to my nervous system. She is kind, very caring, open and has bright energy. After the session I felt calm reassured but most important my energy has shifted. I can’t recommend her enough. Thank you Dawn

  • A.D.

    There is no doubt she is very skilled at what she does and I can highly recommend her to anyone looking for positive changes in their lives. And lucky is the one who is yet to experience their first session with her! You are amazing Dawn! Thank you!

  • A.S.

    I had a beautiful session with Dawn. Dawn made me feel safe, seen and heard, holistically. Dawn was also very flexible and asked what I preferred and what I needed so that she could best serve me, which is always really nice. If you’re looking for a practitioner who is loving, kind, understanding, calm and really sees you and holds a loving space for you, I highly recommend Dawn (:

Education & Training

  • Masters in Social Work | UNC Chapel Hill

    Masters in Peace & Conflict Studies | UNC Greensboro

    Masters of Arts in Teaching | NC State University

    BA in Psychology & Biology | UNC Chapel Hill

  • When we work together, we can decide the best approach to help us get you closer to your goals and objectives.

    Some of my favorites are:

    • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

    • Motivational Interviewing

    • Solutions-Focused Brief Treatment

    • Positive Psychology

    • Appreciative Inquiry

  • EMDR & Parts Work for Treating Complex Trauma: Somatic Techniques to Decrease Defensiveness and Facilitate Trauma Processing | PESI

    Adult ADHD: Targeting Executive Skills to Manage ADHD in Adults | PESI

    Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

    Treating Trauma Master Series | The National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine (NICABM)

    How to Work with Shame | NICABM

    Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction | Palouse Mindfulness

    Reiki Master Teacher

  • Supervised by Stephanie Henry, LCSW
    NC/ C008959

I want to know if you can sit with pain,
mine or your own,
without moving to hide it,
or fade it,
or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy,
mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us to be careful,
to be realistic,
to remember
the limitations of being human.

— Oriah Mountain Dreamer, The Invitation

CONVENIENT ONLINE CONVERSATIONS

I’m licensed to provide counseling services in North Carolina.

We can meet conveniently via secure, HIPAA-compliant video sessions in the time and place that works best for you. Schedule your complimentary strategy call to learn more about how I can help you reach your wellness goals.

You’re invited…

I offer a free strategy call to brainstorm next steps and gain clarity and focus on a direction forward. Let’s meet to learn more about each other and get clear on your goals.