Therapy in Fountain Valley, CA | Counselor Dama Perez
You’ve been holding it all together for so long that breaking feels like a distant thought. Fountain Valley, CA may seem calm and family-centered, but inside your relationship the silence feels heavier by the day. Therapy becomes your space to stop carrying everything alone, to trust your own voice again, and to make room for the love you actually need.
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 specialization
Couples Therapy
LEARN MOREYou’ve been trying to be patient, trying to be understanding. But somewhere between all that effort, something got lost. Together we explore how generational stories and invisible expectations show up between you, and how to rebuild intimacy without sacrificing your emotional truth.
Individual Therapy
LEARN MOREThere’s a quiet clarity that comes from finally honoring what’s true for you. Therapy helps you understand why you attract emotionally unavailable partners or feel responsible for everyone else’s healing. Once we identify the patterns, we begin practicing new ways of relating to yourself and to love that don’t stem from fear or guilt.
Anxiety Therapy
LEARN MOREThere’s something exhausting about being told to calm down when your mind feels like it’s constantly scanning for danger. Therapy helps re-train your nervous system so it no longer fires off alarms at every turn. We work together to build emotional safety, challenge the thoughts that mislead you, and cultivate self-compassion as an antidote to fear.
Premarital Counseling
LEARN MOREYou’ve built something real, but now you want to make sure it’s resilient. Premarital counseling helps you examine how generational patterns, cultural beliefs, and emotional habits influence the way you love. We identify the cracks before they become breaks, so what you build together is solid and nourishing for years to come.
Grief Counseling
LEARN MORESometimes the grief isn’t only about death but about the loss of identity, dreams, or relationships that were once part of your life. Therapy makes room for those hidden losses too, helping you name what hurts and build emotional language for what you moved through in silence.
Immigration Evaluations
LEARN MOREFor many immigrants, speaking about trauma or hardship is not easy, especially when pain is tied to family, identity, or fear of not being believed. In our sessions, I focus on creating emotional safety and trust so you can share what feels necessary without feeling pressured or exposed. Your story is yours to tell, and I help you express it in a way that protects and amplifies your truth.
I serve first-generation women of color in Fountain Valley, CA
With proximity to Mile Square Park, Los Alamos Park, and the Fountain Valley Recreation Center, this community offers quiet suburban living that supports introspective work. My office, located at 4 Venture Suite 355, Irvine, CA 92618, is just a 19 minute drive from Fountain Valley, and sessions are also available online if connecting from home feels more supportive.
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 Fountain Valley, CA
I support first-generation women of color untangling generational emotional patterns, anxiety, and grief. Whether you're walking near Mile Square Park or staying close to home, my online therapy space is culturally grounded and emotionally safe.
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.
