Therapy in Aliso Viejo, CA | Counselor Dama Perez
I provide emotionally focused, culturally grounded therapy in Aliso Viejo, CA, for first-generation Latinas, professionals of color, and couples who feel emotionally disconnected but still deeply committed to their relationship. My work supports individuals and partners who are navigating attachment wounds, communication breakdowns, cultural guilt, and the quiet fear of not being fully understood. In Aliso Viejo, where life often feels organized, efficient, and family-centered, I offer a space where you can slow down and feel emotionally seen without having to explain every part of your identity.
Over the years, I have supported clients throughout South Orange County, including many who live near Aliso Town Center, along Aliso Creek Road, or in hillside neighborhoods overlooking Laguna Canyon. Aliso Viejo carries a very specific rhythm. Many residents commute to Irvine or Laguna Niguel, work in corporate or healthcare roles, and return home to structured, community-oriented neighborhoods. The city feels stable and well planned, but emotional tension can build quietly behind that order. For many first-generation professionals here, balancing independence with family loyalty can create internal conflict that rarely comes to light.
Couples and individuals in Aliso Viejo often reach out when arguments feel repetitive or when emotional closeness feels harder to access, even though love is still present. They are not looking for surface-level communication tips. They want to understand why certain triggers feel so intense and how cultural expectations shape their relationship dynamics. They choose this work because it honors both their ambition and their vulnerability, helping connection feel intentional rather than fragile.
How it works
Step 1
A thorough intake session where we explore your relationship history, cultural backgrounds, and current struggles so we can understand the deeper patterns behind the disconnection.
Step 2
Emotionally focused sessions to help you with clarity, begin repairing trust, and rebuild emotional safety.
Step 3
Ongoing, guided sessions with personalized homework, where we break unhelpful cycles, strengthen connection, and practice healthier ways of relating so your relationship feels more like a true partnership.
Explore my therapy services and specializations
Couples Therapy
Couples Therapy is for partners in Aliso Viejo, CA who feel stuck in repeating conversations that never truly resolve. You may both care deeply, yet feel misunderstood, dismissed, or emotionally alone. From the outside, life looks stable and high-functioning, but inside the relationship there is tension, resentment, or quiet distance. If you are looking for couples therapy near you because you want to reconnect without losing yourself, this space supports that work.
Individual Therapy
Individual Therapy is for first-generation Latinas and professionals of color in Aliso Viejo, CA who are high-achieving on the outside but emotionally exhausted underneath. You may be the reliable one in your family, the capable partner, the person everyone leans on, yet quietly feel anxious, resentful, or disconnected from your own voice. If you are searching for individual therapy near you because you are tired of over-functioning and under-expressing, this space allows you to slow down and reconnect with yourself.
Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety Therapy is for first-generation Latinas and professionals of color in Aliso Viejo, CA who feel accomplished on the outside but internally restless. You may be juggling career demands, family expectations, and personal pressure to keep everything together while your mind never fully slows down. If you are searching for anxiety therapy near you because you are tired of living in constant alert mode, this space helps you understand what is underneath the worry.
Premarital Counseling
Premarital Counseling is for engaged and seriously dating couples in Aliso Viejo, CA who want to enter marriage feeling emotionally prepared, not just excited. You may love each other deeply and still notice moments of miscommunication, cultural tension, or uncertainty about how you handle conflict. If you are searching for premarital counseling near you because you want to build a strong emotional foundation from the start, this space offers intentional preparation.
Grief Counseling
Grief Therapy is for individuals in Aliso Viejo, CA navigating loss that has changed how they see themselves and their future. You may look functional on the outside while feeling quietly fractured inside. If you are searching for grief therapy near you because you are tired of pretending you are fine, this space invites honesty.
Immigration evaluations
Immigration Evaluations support individuals in Aliso Viejo, CA who require psychological documentation for immigration cases. These evaluations are often connected to asylum, hardship waivers, U visas, or VAWA petitions. If you are searching for immigration evaluations near you, this process balances professionalism with compassion.
Evaluations are conducted in person in Irvine or virtually across California, with detailed reports prepared for legal submission.
I serve first-generation women of color in Aliso Viejo, CA
I provide therapy services to individuals and couples in Aliso Viejo and surrounding South Orange County communities, supporting first-generation Latinas, professionals of color, and multicultural families navigating attachment wounds, anxiety, grief, relational conflict, and generational expectations. My office, located at 4 Venture Suite 355, Irvine, CA 92618, is approximately a 13-minute drive from central Aliso Viejo, and I also offer virtual sessions throughout California for added flexibility. I have served Orange County for several years, working with high-functioning professionals and family-oriented households who often carry emotional pressure behind a stable exterior.
My approach is emotionally-focused, culturally-responsive, and grounded in attachment-based therapy. In a community known for its planned neighborhoods, family-centered living, and proximity to outdoor spaces like Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, many residents value balance, growth, and long-term stability. I remain committed to offering care that prioritizes emotional safety and sustainable healing rather than surface-level coping. I serve clients throughout Aliso Viejo as well as nearby areas including Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, and Irvine, providing a steady and culturally-aware space for local residents seeking deeper emotional clarity and relational wellbeing.
Testimonials
Dama's approach to therapy is marked by empathy, insight, and a profound commitment to fostering positive change. I can confidently attest to her exceptional skills and unwavering dedication to the well-being of her clients.
Depression/Anxiety ~ Hyland & Associates
Dama is a colleague & a professional that truly cares about her clients & their therapeutic journey. She is highly skilled in Emotionally Focused Therapy helping individuals & couples navigate & strengthen their emotional connections within relationships.
Jan Covyeau
As a former US military officer, I can see Dama being a great therapist for active-duty members, families, and veterans. I confidently recommend clients to Dama because she cares and has clients' best interests in mind.
Angela Chwe
I'm Dama Perez, founder of Casa Therapy offering therapy in Aliso Viejo, CA
I help first-generation women of color reconnect with themselves and break harmful emotional cycles. From Soka University to Aliso Town Center, I provide accessible online therapy that honors your cultural story and helps make your emotional world feel safe again.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use insurance for therapy?
I am currently an out-of-network provider. However, I can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Many PPO plans offer partial reimbursement checks with your provider to confirm your benefits.
Do you offer a sliding scale?
Yes! I offer two sliding scale spots for clients with financial need. If cost is a concern, please reach out. I'm happy to discuss options during your consultation.
What does the therapy process look like?
We start with an intake session to explore your relationship history, communication patterns, and goals. From there, we’ll meet regularly to uncover deeper emotional patterns, build new tools for connection, and work toward the relationship you want to create. Therapy is always tailored to your unique story and pace.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule a session?
Life happens! I ask for at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations or reschedules. Sessions canceled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be subject to the full session fee. No-shows or missed appointments without prior notice will be charged the full session rate, as that time is reserved specifically for you.
How does virtual therapy work?
Sessions are held through a secure, HIPAA-compliant video platform. You’ll receive a private link before each session. All you need is a quiet and confidential space, a reliable internet connection, and a device with a camera and microphone.
What if I don’t feel like we’re a good fit?
It’s completely normal to wonder if therapy is the right match for you. Building trust and feeling comfortable with your therapist is essential for meaningful growth. If at any point you feel unsure about our connection or approach, please let me know. We can talk openly about it and decide together whether to adjust our work or explore other options. Your comfort and progress are my top priorities, and I’m here to support you every step of the way whether that means continuing together or helping you find the best path forward.
Good Faith Estimate (No Surprises Act)
This Good Faith Estimate shows the costs of services that are reasonably expected for the expected services to address your mental health care needs. The estimate is based on the information known to us when we did the estimate.
The Good Faith Estimate does not include any unknown or unexpected costs that may arise during treatment. You could be charged more if complications or special circumstances occur. If this happens, federal law allows you to dispute (appeal) the bill.
If you are billed for more than this Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute the bill.
You may contact the contact listed above if billed charges are higher than the Good Faith Estimate. You can request an update to the bill to match the Good Faith Estimate, ask to negotiate the bill, or ask if there is financial assistance available.
You may also start a dispute resolution process with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). If you choose to use the dispute resolution process, you must start the dispute process within 120 calendar days (about 4 months) of the date on the original bill.
There is a $25 fee to use the dispute process. If the agency reviewing your dispute agrees with you, you will have to pay the price on this Good Faith Estimate. If the agency disagrees with you and agrees with the health care provider or facility, you will have to pay the higher amount.
To learn more and get a form to start the process, go to: www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate or the dispute process, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call CMS at 1-800-985-3059 .
This Good Faith Estimate is not a contract. It does not obligate you to accept the services listed above.
