Therapy in Mission Viejo, CA | Counselor Dama Perez
Softly but urgently, in Mission Viejo, CA, you’re asking yourself when you became the one who apologizes, fixes, and carries the emotional weight of the relationship. Therapy here is for you, the one who learned to perform harmony before you could speak your truth. This is where we begin to undo the silence, letting connection come from honesty, not sacrifice.
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 learned to keep the peace, to hold things in, or to soften your truth. But love that costs you your voice will always feel draining. In therapy we explore these patterns without blaming either of you, building a shared language where both partners feel emotionally safe and understood again.
Individual Therapy
LEARN MORESometimes the pain isn’t that the relationship ended, it's that you lost yourself inside it. If you’re tired of constantly guessing what’s wrong or trying to feel enough, therapy is a space to reconnect with your emotional truth. We’ll make room for grief, anger, longing, and clarity. You get to learn how to love without erasing who you are.
Anxiety Therapy
LEARN MOREMaybe your anxiety shows up as an endless loop of overthinking, worst-case scenarios, or feeling like you're constantly behind. It steals your sleep, your creativity, your presence. Anxiety therapy becomes the space where you learn how to listen to what it's asking, not with shame, but with curiosity and care. Together we work on regulating your body, soothing your nervous system, and releasing the guilt that keeps you emotionally on guard.
Premarital Counseling
LEARN MOREPreparing for marriage often reveals questions you’ve never been taught how to ask. Does your partner shut down when you need clarity? Do finances feel like a quiet source of tension? Premarital counseling gives you both space to gently name these dynamics without blame. Together, we explore communication, values, and vulnerability, so you don’t just step into marriage, you step in with confidence and connection.
Grief Counseling
LEARN MOREMaybe you’ve been told to stay strong, to keep going, to move on but none of that stops the ache. Grief counseling creates a place where you don’t need to perform strength. Together, we sit gently with what feels unbearable and let your grief come in waves, not floods. You don’t have to carry this alone.
Immigration Evaluations
LEARN MOREPerhaps your attorney suggested an evaluation and you’re unsure what it means. It’s not just paperwork, it’s a chance to give your judge and legal team a fuller picture of your emotional and psychological experience. I help you document your symptoms, history, and resilience in a way that supports your case and helps ensure that what you’ve endured is recognized with dignity.
I serve first-generation women of color in Mission Viejo, CA
With serene views of Lake Mission Viejo, peaceful neighborhoods, and open spaces like Oso Creek Trail, this community offers both tranquility and connection. Whether you're near Saddleback College or the Shops at Mission Viejo, emotional healing becomes more accessible through therapy. My office, located at 4 Venture Suite 355, Irvine, CA 92618, is just an 11-minute drive from Lake Mission Viejo, and I also offer virtual sessions if you prefer care from home.
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 Mission Viejo, CA
I support first-generation women of color navigating relationship stress, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion. Whether you're near Lake Mission Viejo, Saddleback College, or Oso Creek, I create a healing space rooted in trust, compassion, and cultural understanding.
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.
