Specialties → Scientists & Researchers

Your most consequential line of inquiry awaits: you.

Psychotherapy for researchers navigating perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and academic burnout.

Telehealth in the DC Metro area and 43+ states nationwide · Bilingual services in English and Spanish

Book a free 15-minute consultation

WHAT BRINGS YOU HERE

Doing science is deeply rewarding.

You get to explore ideas that excite you, solve complex problems, and contribute new knowledge. But working among brilliant minds demands a great deal. You navigate a culture that demands you sacrifice sleep, rest, and relationships in service of the work. Even working side by side with your colleagues, you can feel profoundly alone, terrified of the notion that you don’t belong.

I’m glad you’re here. Without your well-being as a foundation, the questions you are working on and the scientist you want to be cannot fully come to fruition.

I work with scientists at every stage of their career learning to optimize their productivity while protecting their energy and time. From graduate students at universities in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC, to postbacs, postdoctoral fellows, and established researchers at institutions like the NIH and AstraZeneca.

WHAT THE CV DOESN’T SHOW

You're in the right place if you are navigating...

Grant cycle burnout Publication pressure Perfectionism Procrastination Chronic overwork Imposter syndrome Inability to rest after hours Writer's block Tense dynamics with your PI or colleagues Self-doubt in your leadership role Career dissatisfaction Difficulty advocating for yourself at work Tying your self-worth to your productivity ADHD, autism, or OCD in high-demand environments

MY APPROACH

Here, structure is an act of care.

CBT is not just my clinical orientation. It is the way I naturally approach and solve problems. I learned it both in clinical training and in a research setting, ensuring fidelity to the method while delivering it as part of a randomized clinical trial. But it goes beyond the training. I see the structure CBT offers as a way to protect your time and energy, channeling our work together toward modeling limit-setting, stepwise progress, and collaboration.

Not every client wants the same degree of structure, and I don’t impose it. We discuss together how closely to follow the framework. But the option is always there, and for many of the people I work with, it is exactly what they have been looking for.

TOGETHER WE WORK ON

  • Reducing self-criticism and perfectionism
  • Separating your worth from your performance metrics
  • Navigating difficult dynamics with advisors, peers, or supervisees
  • Strengthening self-advocacy and career clarity
  • Building sustainable strategies to stay productive without sacrificing self-care
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM OUR WORK
  • A structured approach grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and schema-informed interventions
  • A space that is neurodivergent-affirming and culturally attuned to the experiences of BIPOC, Latinx, and immigrant professionals
  • A provider who understands the culture of science from the inside
  • Coordinated care with your health team, where relevant

SOCIAL PROOF

What fellow clinicians say:

“I frequently refer clients to Dr. Rendón for her clinical expertise and calm, steady presence. She offers evidence-based tools and a truly grounded partnership in healing. She has a gift for making people feel safe and seen. I never hesitate to recommend her.”

Regina Morales, LCSW

NIH Wellness Advisor

“Dr. Rendón helps clients change hard-to-reach goals into smaller, more manageable tasks and helps them stay accountable for their mental health.”

Erin Severe, PsyD

Psychologist, Couples Specialist

Dr. Rendon is warm, compassionate, and organized, balancing empathy with honest feedback. She motivates clients to tackle challenges and reach their goals, especially around perfectionism and burnout. You’re in excellent hands.”

Shoshana Pearlman, LCSW-C

Psychotherapist

LOGISTICS

Fees

INITIAL INTAKE

$350

90 minutes

INDIVIDUAL SESSION

$250

60 minutes

INDIVIDUAL SESSION

$230

45 minutes

My practice is primarily fee-for-service and fully telehealth. A limited number of spots are available for clients using insurance. All major credit cards and HSA/FSA cards are accepted.

Full fee information and out-of-network guidance →

FAQ

Common questions

What is CBT and how is it different from other types of therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a structured, evidence-based approach that focuses on the relationship between your thoughts, behaviors, and how you feel. Rather than exploring the past indefinitely, we identify patterns that are keeping you stuck and build concrete strategies to shift them. Sessions have direction. Progress is measurable. If you are someone who wants to understand the mechanism of what we are doing — not just experience it — CBT is likely a good fit.

We start each session with a brief check-in and review of where we left off, so there is always continuity from one session to the next. From there, we work on what is most pressing based on your treatment plan — we might process something that has been emotionally impactful, or work on a specific skill to move your goals forward. Sessions end with written takeaways, and when applicable, a concrete way to apply what we discussed before we meet again. You will never leave a session wondering what just happened or what comes next.

It depends on what you are working on. Some people come with a specific, contained concern and feel ready to stop after a few months. Others are working on longer-standing patterns and find value in continuing beyond that. I don’t keep people in therapy longer than is useful, and we revisit your goals regularly so you always know where we are and what we are working toward.

Yes; this is one of the reasons I work exclusively via telehealth. As long as you are in a state where I am licensed or authorized to practice, we can meet from wherever you are. If your schedule is unpredictable, we can build in flexibility rather than holding a rigid weekly slot. Consistency matters, but it doesn’t have to mean same time every week.

Absolutely. While I have deep experience working with Latinx and BIPOC professionals and offer services in Spanish, my practice is open to anyone who is a good fit for the work I do. If you are a scientist navigating the pressures described on this page, your background is not a prerequisite.
Very much so. The challenges of a scientific career do not resolve with seniority; they shift. Senior investigators and faculty often carry the weight of mentoring others while managing their own burnout, navigating institutional politics, and questioning whether the career they built is still meaningful. These are not junior problems. They are human ones, and they deserve the same quality of attention.

Take The Next Step

You don’t have to choose between your career and your well-being. If you are a scientist or researcher feeling the weight of this work, I would love to connect and help you build a sustainable path forward, where your questions and your health can coexist.

Book a free 15-minute consultation

Questions first? hello@potomaccbt.com –  240 200 0842