Therapy in Huntington Beach, CA | Counselor Dama Perez

You’ve carried emotional responsibility with grace, but without a place to fall apart. Therapy offers that place, where you can speak freely, let go of guilt, and begin reconstructing connection without abandoning yourself.

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

    No one prepares you for how emotional survival mode can show up even in the relationships you chose with your whole heart. Therapy helps both partners learn to soften instead of shut down, to respond instead of react, and to create safety instead of walking on eggshells.

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  • Individual Therapy

    Maybe you're not here because your relationship has ended, but because part of you knows you’re disappearing inside it. Therapy becomes an emotional pause where you reflect on who you are beyond the roles, patterns, and cultural expectations you've been carrying. You get to ask: what would it feel like to stay connected without staying small?

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  • Anxiety Therapy

    Perhaps you're afraid to let your guard down because life has taught you that safety must be earned, not felt. Anxiety therapy gives you space to explore those beliefs without judgment. We move gently, honoring your pace, and create emotional tools that support your mind and body to feel grounded and resourced again.

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  • Premarital Counseling

    You’re not just planning a wedding, you’re building something sacred. That means talking honestly about conflict, money, family, grief, intimacy, and dreams. Premarital counseling gives you the framework to explore those pieces before they become misunderstandings. It’s not about predicting every challenge, it's about knowing you can work through any of them together.

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  • Grief Counseling

    You might fear that if you fully feel your grief, you’ll never come back from it. Together in therapy, we build practices that help your body regulate and release the shock, tension, or sadness that grief carries. You learn how to move through the pain without being consumed by it.

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  • Immigration Evaluations

    Immigration law requires proof of your emotional reality, not just your physical one. That’s where a psychological evaluation becomes a crucial part of your case. I use standardized tools, clinical interviews, and trauma-informed assessment to write a report that meets all legal criteria and reflects your experience with care.

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I serve first-generation women of color in Huntington Beach, CA 

Whether you’re balancing family and career or navigating big life transitions, support is close by. My office, located at 4 Venture Suite 355, Irvine, CA 92618, is just a 30 minute drive from Huntington Beach, and you're also welcome to meet with me online if that feels like a better fit for your life right now.

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 Huntington Beach, CA

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Nevada, Certified Grief Educator, EFIT and EFT Trained. I support first-generation women of color navigating cycles of anxiety, relational stress, and silent emotional labor. 

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.