Damaris believes we all deserve to live a fulfilling life where we can embody our authentic selves. After graduating from California State University, Northridge with Bachelor’s in Psychology she continued her studies at Pepperdine University and received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. During the final year of her Master’s program, Damaris began her work in a nonprofit organization that provides affordable individual, couple, family, and group counseling services to clients. Damaris received her training in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), strengths-based approaches, and dual diagnosis of substance use/ mental health. Additionally, she provides court-mandated family Reunification Therapy (RT), and individual therapy for anger management, alcohol, and drug addiction, as well as mental health counseling.
Damaris has been a part of the clinical team at Golden Road Recovery since October, of 2020. During her time at GRR, she assisted numerous clients with their journey to sobriety along with their aftercare planning. Damaris has extensive experience facilitating groups in residential, as well as inpatient clinic settings. She believes in taking a collaborative approach to help clients reach personal growth, increase self-esteem, and meet each client where they are in their journey to self-reflection. As a therapist, she is committed to guiding her clients to self-discovery and healing.
Damaris strives to be fully involved in all aspects of her clients’ progress by constantly following up on their assessments and treatment planning. In both group and individual therapy, she guides her clients through personal challenges to help ease emotional burdens and to empower them in achieving their goals. She is exceptionally skilled in working with individuals who struggle with substance abuse, addiction, codependency, depression, anxiety, life transitions, trauma, grief, and loss. Through her work, Damaris strives to foster a safe space where clients can share their stories regarding their underlying trauma, gain insight into the impact it had on their lives, and provide new tools in order to facilitate emotional healing.
