Dawn Smith, NMT

Dawn has the ability and talent to express and share ideas in a very creative and meaningful way. She mixes insightful metaphors, empathy and healing energy in a unique approach that forms a strong therapeutic connection. I feel understood, cared for, and listened to. Each and every time.
Her approach continues to help me connect thoughts, behavior, and my personal belief systems in a way I never could have before meeting her. The way I view something as simple as an open or closed door in my own house, who or what’s behind that door, and what it triggers inside of me — is a level of insight I’ll never forget. It will stick with me forever. Really powerful.
I’m extremely grateful to have the chance to see her every 2 weeks for sessions. Each time I see her, I can feel growth, incrementally. Her approach requires patience and hard work. But she makes the process so enlightening. She is a true asset in my life; and I can’t recommend her highly enough.

I have been working with Dawn for just over a month and would highly recommend her practice. She is professional and dedicated to helping you reach your goals and be successful.
My focus recently has been advancing my career and enhancing my personal life. Dawn’s guidance and suggestion to start daily meditation have proven very effective and I am already seeing results.
So excited about the journey ahead!

When receiving advice from friends or family is not enough seeking someone outside of your circle can be a good path. Dawn has been my life coach for a few months now and I am so grateful to have welcomed this intervention in my life. She focuses on ways to improve your quality of life and has shaped a better me. Improvement within has made a positive impact in my marriage as well. If you’re like me, apprehensive at the idea of seeking some help, I would recommend giving it a shot. It never hurts to receive objective feedback from a professional who holds no judgement and empowers your decisions.

Wow, I can not speak highly enough about Dawn. She is such a fantastic, calming and professional person and she has completely changed my life.
With meditation and her methods she has taught me, I have found much easier ways to cope with my stress and depression. Also she’s not a pill pusher, which I love, I hate taking medicine and she has been an amazing addition to my life.

I usually keep my personal business closely guarded, but maybe sharing my insight can help someone else as much as Dawn has helped me.
I was going through a rough patch and needed help overcoming it. I heeded the words of a close friend and sought objective advice. I’ve never been one to seek or want professional help, but setting that preference aside was probably one of the best things I have ever done in my life. I was further convinced I made the right choice from my first phone call with Dawn. My first session left me empowered and, more importantly, a way forward. I fully immersed myself in these sessions – even doing the homework she gave me (this was my life, after all). Dawn is gifted in the way she articulates awareness in yourself and in others.
It’s been a few months since that first session and I feel like my mental state has greatly improved. I highly recommend her services, you really won’t regret it.

I was having a tough time with work and in life, in general. I found myself depressed and overwhelmed most of the time. I am not saying I was without joy, but I knew on the inside something was off. A good friend of mine confessed that he had been feeling the same so he sought out professional help and he found Dawn. He had been working with her for a number of months and he said his mental state had improved greatly.
So I finally came to a point where I needed to change or to pivot my trajectory and I realized trying to do it on my own was not going to work, I needed help. Overcoming the fear of how I may be perceived for talking with someone I reached out to Dawn. I will say before even talking with her I was already starting to feel relief for taking steps to heal myself.
From our first session I felt empowered and Dawn really opened my eyes to the things standing in my way. There were things I incorrectly believed about myself and about the world. Working with her has given me the ability to zoom out and get a more real picture of my life, more awareness as she puts it. I am feeling more balanced after only a couple of months and she tells me I am progressing well and healing. This must be true because not only do I feel more at peace with myself and more clarity but people around the office have taken notice and commented on how I seem more free and relaxed.
Life sure has improved with Dawn in it. If you are on the fence with this and not sure what to do I recommend you give her a call because it has changed my life.
«If you are afraid and a little excited of your next move, it’s probably the right one.»
Thanks Dawn!

I’m a physician and I had been looking for someone to help me with my TMJ from grinding my teeth at night. My neck and jaws were always tight. I woke up with headaches most mornings and knew I wasn’t sleeping as well as I could have. When I told Dawn about my TMJ she knew exactly what to do. Her methods and practice are a little different than most massages I have had from «commercial» massage practitioners, but incredibly effective. She also had helpful and practical advice on what I can do to take better care of myself. After each session I could feel my neck, back, shoulder and jaw muscles unlock and feel looser than I thought was possible.
Week after week I noticed my jaws un-​clenching and my headaches dissipating. I’m happy to say that my headaches and TMJ are no longer a problem. I still see her for maintenance treatment and because I always come away so blissfully relaxed. Dawn is very professional, experienced, and she has made a very loyal and trusting client.

I haven’t needed to see Dawn in quite some time. I’m able to move through most of my own healing crises on my own. However, I found myself 3 ½ weeks into a an acute bout of bronchitis that literally wasn’t moving from my lungs. I was getting very concerned about it turning into pneumonia. With the expansion of her practice to incorporate a new device called the NES scanner (I think) — Dawn came to my rescue. This device is focused solely on frequency. After all, everything has a vibration and a frequency. And when disease sets in, that frequency can drop very significantly leaving us feeling the effects. Well, 3 weeks in, my lungs and ribs felt more bruised than ever. I believed I was only worsening my situation. It hurt to laugh, cough, talk… I was short of breath.
So Dawn began to work «on my body» with the scanner. She was quick to comment on how tight my lungs and ribs were. It was as though I had «frequency knots.» As she worked and worked on me, the tightness in my lungs, rib and chest began to take a journey as well as break up. We both watched it travel up my chest and into my throat. It was MAGICAL and astounding. I had a few coughing bouts that were pretty intense, but things were loosening. I could feel my vibration rising again. She continued working on my chest and throat, as well as the back of my chest and lungs. We finally finished a little work on my sinuses, because, believe it or not, that’s where the congestion had moved to. In 30 minutes! In 3 weeks, the congestion hadn’t budged an INCH from deep in my chest.
During the session, one of the coughing bouts caused an intense bruising around my left ribs. (worse than any I had accumulated that week.) Doing some research — I believe it felt like what is described as a contusion. We did some more work on that spot, but felt it needed some time to settle in. We agreed that I would ask my guides what this lesson was related to in order to help me understand and finally release it.
The next morning, (Friday), I woke up feeling quite refreshed, but EXTREMELY sore in that one spot on my left rib. It was almost paralyzing.
When I got home from work, I did an intense meditation where I asked my guides what this entire lesson was associated with. What came up for me was fear. Somewhat frightening memories from my childhood surfaced. however, I thought, I don’t remember these being THAT frightening or like they would have had such a lasting impact on me. And so I asked my guides… what do you want me to see? What do these memories have in common? And then they showed me. From my MOTHER’s perspective. All the memories replayed with her fear attached to them. Fear for her child. And I saw that I had taken on that pain through the emotional cord and unspoken agreement we had between us. And of course it was on the left side of my body, which correlates with the feminine and mother energy. I had an intense wave of energy confirming the revelation that I was having from my guides. I thanked them, and spoke my intention that I was ready to let this go.
I then went to an Akashic Gong Journey that evening (Friday still) at 7:30, where my intention was to continue releasing the fear of my Mother. Thanking it for all that it served me. When the journey was over, there was a time for questions. I asked the leader to ask the records if there was anything else I could do to release this. They said no, you have already released it. At this time, the disease is now just dissolving back into you from whence it came. This made perfect sense to me as it only confirmed how I was already feeling.
This morning, Saturday, I woke up and felt considerably better in my ribs. It was still a bit difficult to move my left rib. However, I felt well enough to ride my bike to my friend’s yoga class. We did a beautiful yoga class and a lot of stretches that opened up the rib cage. At the end, she asked us if we had any poses or requests. Out of my mouth came — «full wheel» –which for those that don’t know is a back bend. I normally DREAD this pose and would never ask for it. However, it’s like my lungs and ribs spoke on my behalf. I went into the pose and was able to hold it longer than I ever had in my life (outside of childhood of course ;) breathing and healing my ribs and lungs. Something had completely moved and shifted and made more space for me to open my heart and chest!
Since class was over at 11, I haven’t coughed really at ALL. I feel completely healed outside of a small soreness on all of my ribs but that has reduced in intensity by 75% just from YESTERDAY.
I am well! I am healed. And Dawn, as always, was there to jumpstart my journey and my healing and help to move something that was really resistant to move.
My healer. My friend. Namaste Dawn! So much love.

It’s been about 3 months since my first visit with Dawn. Aside from the lower back, neck and shoulder discomforts that is helped by massage therapy, I have been on a quest to find an alternative non-​invasive way to address a ganglion cyst that developed on my right toe about 1.5 yrs ago. My podiatrist had been draining this cyst periodically but told me that having it surgically removed was the most effective way to rid myself of this condition. Dawn suggested using a biofeedback scanning device over this cyst and to my amazement within these few short months, the cyst changed in appearance, eventually scabbing over. One day I noticed my sock was soiled and discovered that this cyst had split open and drained on its own. So far the cyst area is relatively flat and has not taken form again. I don’t know the exact how or why of this but I’m thrilled and relieved that I’ve been spared the ordeal of surgery. Dawn is very impressive in her knowledge and dedication in helping others heal on various levels.

Can I give 6 stars? I found Dawn 3 years ago and see her for regular massages. She is hands down the best massage therapist I have been to. She takes the time to understand your needs, is extremely knowledgeable about the anatomy of the body, and boy does she give a damn good massage. I always leave feeling amazing (once I get over the fact that the massage is sadly over). If you are in the market for an amazing massage therapist, go to Dawn. The multitude of positive reviews on here are a testament to her excellence.
I noticed a recent review that criticized certain aspects of Dawn’s practice, in particular a bio-​feedback device that she has incorporated into some of her massage sessions. I don’t know the technicalities of how this device works, but it sure feels like it relieves extra stress and tension in your tightest places (that even an hour long massage might not completely relieve). Having been to physical therapy in the past that used devices that felt similar to this one, I am a fan of this latest addition to my massage sessions. She just uses it for a few minutes in the places that you need it most. However, just like with everything, everyone has their preferences so don’t let this deter you, if you aren’t a fan of this device. If you don’t want it or like it, just speak up.
Bottom line, seeing Dawn has been one of the best decisions I have made for my body. She has helped alleviate pain from prior surgeries and the tension cause by the stresses of daily life. I can not recommend her enough.

Dawn is the best in the business. I would highly recommend her.

Dawn is amazing! She has helped improve my life immensely and I couldn’t thank her enough for it!

I’ve been going to Dawn consistently over the last few years, and she is amazing — there’s no other way to describe her. She was able to work out the stress I had in my body and really make me feel better overall. She constantly gives off positive energy, which is infectious. I always leave feeling really good, and I’ve been able to infuse that in my personal life. Dawn genuinely makes a personal connection that extends further than a massage, and helps you balance your day-​to-​day life. I definitely feel like she’s helped me become a more positive person, and I’m much happier. I HIGHLY recommend Dawn. She’ll change your life for the better!

Dawn is an amazing massage therapist. She really understands the anatomy of the body and knows how to fix it. She is combines science and holistic. Every penny you spend it’s going to change you forever. I have never written a review about anything on Unilocal before, and I feel obligated to tell the world about her.
Before I met Dawn, she asked me what my problems are that I need a massage. I explained to her that my job takes a huge toll on my body. Also because of my job, I work out quite a bit to keep myself in top shape. Well, all that physical work just keep making my muscle tighter and tighter. I have muscle aches all over my shoulder and neck, which also triggers down to my elbows and sometimes to fingers. I was a mess!
When I went to my first session, Dawn first asked me if I have headaches. I do have very minor headaches. I also told her that my sinus is bad, I could only breathe through one nostril. She noticed that my shoulders are up and pulling forward. She explained to me that was because my back muscles, mostly the traps and lats, are not strong enough so that my chest muscles are pulling everything forward. That causes bad posture. My neck is pretty messed up which causes the headache and sinus problems. She massaged a point in the back of my neck and almost instantly, I breathe through both of my nostrils. She also discovered that my foot muscles are pretty tight and mostly due to my job.
All in all, Dawn is an angel sent from heaven. I felt really GREAT after an hour of massage, which I really should have gotten the 90 min instead. I immediately schedule another appointment. Dawn suggests some exercises that I should do in order to correct my posture. My problems will require more sessions because the roots are deep, but it’s well worth it.
By the time I finished this review, I had seen Dawn for 3 times within a 2 week period. In between, I also visited a chiropractor. I didn’t tell my chiropractor what Dawn’s diagnostic was, but he confirmed every single thing that Dawn said and has given me some exercises to improve my condition.

At the suggestion of my career coach, I sought out an energy worker to help me break through to the next steps in my career. After reading Dawn’s reviews, I decided to go in and give energy work a shot. I was not disappointed! Dawn is an excellent therapist and I have been seeing her on a regular basis for life coaching/​energy work for the past few months. We talk a bit and then she clears out any of my bad energy that is ready to go and welcomes new, positive energy in. She has been wonderfully supportive and has helped me get to the heart of what will really help me not only in my career, but also life in general. My friends and family can already sense a difference in my attitude and demeanor. Definitely give it a shot if you are stuck on anything and need a little support/​boost!

I came to Dawn months ago when I was completely ungrounded from a deal off livingsocial. I couldn’t make decisions and I was just in a general fog. Dawn cleared all that away with reiki and completely de-​stresses me everytime I go in. Her work is amazing and definitely makes you feel better; doesn’t matter if it’s a bad day/​month/​year whatever, she can make it better. I will continue going to her as long as I can! I encourage everyone to go and experience reiki/​medical qigong if you’re feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or even depressed, it really helps!

I have been contemplating seeing a Chinese medicine specialist for a while now. I saw an Amazon local deal and decided to give it a shot. I am so glad I did. I have a lot of stress and have tried, therapy, mediation, yoga, etc. nothing really made me feel in balance or that it was relieving any stress at all. My body always felt out of whack with my self.
I had my first session today and I left feeling at ease and comforted. I have not had that feeling at all with the methods above. I don’t know if this is an answer, but it’s definitely something I will be trying again in the near future.
Like the other reviews stated, Dawn puts you right at ease and she does not make you feel like you have to continue sessions nor does she «push» her ideas at you.
Thank you Dawn!

Best therapist ever.
And I say this as a 20 year massage veteran. Dawn was just a lucky Unilocal find for me. I am confused by just how much healing energy is in that tiny little body of hers. Pricing is great. I highly recommend 90 minutes if you can afford the time. Dawn takes the time to really get to know you and she seems interested in holistic solutions without too much new age mumbo jumbo.
The only bad thing I can say about Dawn is actually about her space. I wish she’d move to a more serene space. The whole large medical building just doesn’t work for me.

An amazing experience, I felt great afterwards. She is so professional and makes an amazing personal rapport with you that you feel at home and she really knows where to work on. Thank you.

After checking out a bunch of the reviews here – and why are so many of her reviews filtered, they’re excellent – I biked from Humboldt Park to see Dawn when I had a really bad headache. She explained a lot of my problem is from neck and shoulder tension which she helped relieve. We also talked about what may be causing some of my neck pain.
It was great to have someone take the time to listen and suggest how I could feel better just by making a few simple changes. My headache is gone, but I’ll definitely be back for another massage.