Hi, I’m Damaris!
I’m a big feeler, a self-compassion advocate, and a firm believer that there is so much more freedom for you. My practice focuses on helping you learn how to connect with yourself and your emotions, create self-compassion, and embrace honesty and acceptance in your life.
My areas of focus include working with folks navigating life transitions in their 20s and 30s. I am passionate about the people who experience fatigue from their high, unmet expectations. The people who struggle to disconnect their self-worth from what they do. The people who feel paralyzed by fear of failure or criticism. Perfectionism is a common thread in many of our lives, whether we’ve realized it or not.
I will help you learn that the perfectionism you experience is simply a way that you’ve learned to feel safe and loved.
And I will walk alongside you as you learn how to honor the perfectionism part of you. You will learn that leaning into connection, compassion, and curiosity actually leads to more honesty and acceptance of yourself – imperfections and all. It is possible for you to feel loved, safe, and enough just as you are.
My Specialties
I received my Bachelor of Social Work degree in Missouri and Master of Social Work degree in New York. Throughout the years I have lived across numerous states working as an adoption social worker, school social worker, therapist, and supervisor. My professional path has included many different positions, but I’ve found that where I’m most happy is sitting in my therapy chair talking with you.
I believe therapy is most powerful when there’s a safe and trusting relationship between myself and you. In sessions with you, I will bring my compassion, curiosity, empathy, and true self.
A few of the therapeutic lenses that drive my practice include compassion focused, strengths-based, and internal family systems. I also love Dr. Brene Brown’s work on shame resilience.
Outside of therapy, you can find me chasing sunsets, nerding out over a documentary, watching the Buffalo Bills, or spending quality time with my friends. Oh, and I believe every night should end with a big bowl of chocolate ice cream.
My Approach to Therapy
Equality: In the therapy room, you and I are equals. I choose to embrace my humanity as we approach therapy from a collaborative perspective. I am committed to working just as hard as you will work in our sessions.
Parts Perspective: We aren’t meant to be defined by one thing. I choose to see you as the dynamic, multi-faceted human that you are. I believe we are all a combination of many, many parts. We will get curious about the parts of you that you don’t quite understand, hold compassion for the parts of you that are hard to love, and embrace the parts of you that make you feel alive!
Skills: Once we understand the patterns happening in your life, we make changes by practicing new coping skills. This is where we can become creative in thinking of new, practical ways to help you cope with your thoughts and emotions.
