91: The Power of Saying No: A Conversation with Dawn Dominguez, LMFT

In this episode, we chat with Dawn Dominguez, LMFT, a dedicated therapist and founder of Windows of Hope Counseling Center, about the importance of saying no for self-care. Dawn shares her transformative experience at a Gabor Maté conference where she realized the impact of not setting boundaries.  She offers practical tips like daily journaling prompts: 'Where in my life am I not saying no?', 'What is the impact?', 'What do I believe about myself that keeps me from saying no?', and 'Who would I be if I did say no?'. Dawn also discusses the connection between emotional and physical health, and offers insights into compassionate inquiry and attachment theory. Plus, she highlights the affordable mental health services and training available at her center. This heartfelt convo is packed with valuable advice for both therapists and anyone looking to better their self-care routines. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:07 The Power of Saying No: Dawn's Personal Journey 01:52 The Turning Point: Gabor Mate's Influence 03:38 Challenges and Realizations in Setting Boundaries 07:48 The Impact of Saying No on Health and Well-being 09:25 Daily Practices for Setting Boundaries 11:42 Attachment, Authenticity, and Boundaries 21:50 The Role of Choice in Healing and Therapy 25:30 Practical Steps and Compassionate Connection 26:57 Exploring Personal Beliefs and Therapy 27:31 The Role of Journaling 28:09 Joining the Compassionate Inquiry Group 28:56 Understanding Compassionate Inquiry 30:20 Applying Compassionate Inquiry in Couples Therapy 31:57 The Importance of Saying No 39:07 Shamanic Principles and Self-Care 43:52 Windows of Hope Counseling Center 48:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts   Connect with Dawn: www.windowsofhopecounseling.org https://www.instagram.com/windowsofhopecounselingcenter/   Check out Berries: Berries Referral Link: heyberries.com/?via=heart-centered Discount code: Sindee50 for $50 off your first month Connect with Sindee: Visit my website: https://heartcenteredtherapistpodcast.com/  Join the Heart-Centered Therapist Community FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/478651669638167 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartcenteredtherapist/ Shop Mental Health Threads: https://mentalhealththreads.etsy.com Interested in realigning your own practice to be more heart-centered? Join Sindee on her podcast by signing up for a Therapist Alignment Session. This brief, 15-30-minute conversation is a unique opportunity to re-align with your heart-centered approach, both in your client interactions and in the development of your practice. Whether you're at the beginning of your career or an experienced therapist, these sessions are designed to help you gain clarity on specific issues you're facing. Sign up for your Therapist Alignment Session here: https://calendly.com/heartcenteredtherapistpodcast/therapist-alignment-session Want to be a guest on the podcast? Email Sindee: [email protected] For more information on the Couples Therapy Mentorship Group, email me at [email protected]