Therapy in Santa Ana, CA | Counselor Dama Perez
Santa Ana, CA holds stories of culture, resilience, and identity. Still, you may feel like your emotions have nowhere to land safely. I help first-generation women of color break through relationship patterns that taught them to shrink or stay quiet to be loved. In therapy together, we begin turning emotional survival into relational safety and mutual care.
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 MOREThere’s so much left unspoken in every relationship. The sighs, the small betrayals, the quiet resentments. Couples therapy becomes the space where those truths can finally be named, not to reopen wounds but to offer a path toward deeper repair and mutual care.
Individual Therapy
LEARN MOREYou’ve learned so much about taking care of others, but maybe no one ever showed you how to care for yourself. Individual counseling is not about assigning blame, it's about exploring your emotional wounds with compassion and curiosity. You’ll learn to identify your limits, communicate what matters, and see love as something that can feel mutual and safe again.
Anxiety Therapy
LEARN MOREAnxiety can seem like it’s all in your head, but the truth is you feel it in your body, your breath gets shallow, your muscles tighten, your heart races. In therapy, we don’t dismiss those sensations, we learn from them. We work at the intersections of body, memory, and culture to regulate what’s overwhelmed and make room for calm.
Premarital Counseling
LEARN MOREMaybe one of you feels the pressure of family loyalty, while the other is afraid of being swallowed by someone else’s needs. Therapy becomes the place where both of you are allowed to name your fears without being judged for them. Together we practice creating boundaries that honor both your relationship and the families you come from.
Grief Counseling
LEARN MOREMaybe you were raised to keep your feelings private, or maybe your grief wasn’t taken seriously because you’re the strong one. Therapy offers a place where silence is replaced with language, where the depth of your grief is met with gentleness and cultural understanding, not superficial comfort.
Immigration Evaluations
LEARN MOREYou might be wondering if talking about your mental health could help your case. The answer is yes, your emotional experience matters. Whether you’ve endured violence, threats, separation, or long-term fear, I document not just what happened but how it continues to affect your life, relationships, and hope for the future. This is your chance for your suffering to be acknowledged on paper.
I serve first-generation women of color in Santa Ana, CA
From the Artists Village to Santiago Park and Logan Neighborhood, Santa Ana offers a vibrant, culturally rich environment that supports emotional exploration. Many clients appreciate the local art and green spaces that inspire grounding and reflection. My office, located at 4 Venture Suite 355, Irvine, CA 92618, is just a 13-minute drive from Santa Ana, and I also offer sessions online if receiving care from your own space feels right for you.
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 Santa Ana, CA
I walk with first-generation women of color learning how to carry their stories without losing themselves in survival mode. Whether you're near the Artists Village, Logan neighborhood, or Santiago Park, I offer virtual sessions that center emotional expression and cultural care.
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.