I provide on line therapy for people grieving for the loss of loved ones. I am a Certified Advanced Imago Relationship Therapist providing sessions for couples on line. I am trained and provide therapy for families and individuals dealing with estrangement and parental alienation.

I provide therapeutic support to bereaved individuals, parents, family members and friends.  Losses including infertility, miscarriage and infant loss.

Hello! My name is Dama Perez. I am a bilingual (Hablo Español) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Grief Educator. I offer in-person services in Irvine, CA, and statewide support via Telehealth. My practice provides a safe and culturally sensitive space for clients to share their stories and process.

I work with teenagers and adults who are navigating challenging transitions, coping with recent loss, struggling with identity issues, dealing with low self-esteem, or experiencing relationship distress.

In therapy, I can help you address and find support for the following:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Grief and Loss
• Life Transitions
• Relational Distress
• Self-Esteem Issues
• Women’s Mental Health / Miscarriage Grief

I’m here to support you on your journey to healing and growth.

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist providing the following:

• Grief counseling
  • Certified Grief Educator through completing a certificate program designed by world-renowned grief expert David Kessler
  • Committed to providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the often unacknowledged rocky terrain of grief
• General psychotherapy
  • Compassionate, strength-based approach
  • Mindfulness
  • Cognitive behavioral therapies
  • Acceptance and commitment therapy
  • Positively focused brain-based therapies

Background:

• Became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in 2015 after retiring from a 28-year career as an educator, K through university, in the California public schools and CSU system, inspired by the needs of former students with mental health issues.
• Became a certified grief educator after being part of David Kessler’s Tender Hearts group following the loss by suicide of my younger daughter in 2021.
• Experienced serving clients and families with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction.
• In addition to having a private practice I work two days a week providing psychiatric evaluations and therapeutic support for patients in crisis in a Hospital Emergency Room.

Education

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy

University of San Francisco, December, 2009

Master of Arts in Education, Reading and Literacy

Sonoma State University, June, 2001

California Teaching Credential, Multiple Subject

Dominican University, January, 1988

Bachelor of Arts, Art History, Cum Laude

New York University, June, 1974

Provide counseling to children, teenagers, adults. Services are individual counseling, marriage counseling and family counseling. Specializes in grief and trauma counseling. Offers DBT techniques, trauma informed counseling and EMDR.