Reality Therapy in Brasstown, NC

Do you need help understanding how your thoughts and emotions might be affecting your current experience? I specialize in helping clients ages 12 and up work through depression, anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, burnout, low self worth, and overwhelm. Together can work to shift unhealthy beliefs and patterns, learn tools and strategies to help you feel calmer and more in control, change habits that no longer serve you, and tap into a deeper understanding of who you are now and who you are becoming. You are more than your challenges. We all need support at times to navigate the healing journey in order to feel whole and balanced.

Assisting individuals in finding real solutions for their most personal problems.

Often there are things in life that are outside of our control and these things can make us feel as though our emotions are outside of our control as well. Whether it be symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, anger, or even life transitions, choosing therapy is making a choice to put your needs first. My goal will always be to assist in finding the path that works best for you. Together we can collaborate to form solutions that will help lead to your success and happiness.

Depressed? Anxious? Hurting? Uncertain about a decision, challenge, or direction? These are solvable problems. We have helped clients overcome obstacles by our collaborative approach, trauma-focused & advanced psychotherapies. By continual professional & educational growth, Iona Integrative Health staff achieves enduring, and satisfying client results. Our upmost commitment, sensitivity and fine tuning to our clients' needs are essential to their success. Iona’s areas of specialty include mood disorders, stress management, trauma, addiction, chronic illness & relationship issues with teens, adults, and seniors.

I have a humanistic and client-centered approach. I view the counseling relationship as a collaboration between myself and you. Together we will work towards self-acceptance and self-awareness by dealing with issues such as moods, attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors that may be standing in the way of happiness and contentment in your life. I use an integrative method including cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, reality therapy, positive psychotherapy, and mindfulness training with a mind-body-and-soul model.

I believe as humans we must support each other on our life journey. I enjoy helping clients gain a deeper understanding of themselves, their thought patterns and emotions, relationships, and navigate and make sense of their world. I believe that clarifying what is important to each individual, their needs, and their goals, helps provide direction and purpose in life. I often help clients explore how past experiences, family dynamics, addiction, and personality affect how we relate and function in this world. I offer individual, couples, and family sessions.

Damaris works as an outpatient/school-based counselor providing services to both children and adults in English, Spanish, and American Sign Language (ASL). Damaris loves to listen to people and guide them to identify and build their strengths on what they truly love. Some of the issues she currently addresses include understanding and managing anxiety, defiant behaviors, bipolar disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well as navigating new mental health and physical health diagnosis, grief or divorce.

As a seasoned therapist and Certified Parent Coach, I bring over two decades of expertise in supporting teens and their families. Throughout my career, I've engaged in individual and group therapy with both adults and teens, led parent support groups, and developed parent education programs within a residential facility for adolescents. On a personal note, as a parent to teenagers myself, I understand the joys and challenges that come with parenting. I'm here to assure you that you're not alone. My mission is to provide you with tools and guidance to help you navigate the complexities of parenting with confidence and resilience.

If you're reading this, chances are you've experienced difficult times in life. There are two things I want you to know - 1) life happens to us all, you are not alone, and there is HOPE, and 2) whatever reaction you are having is a NORMAL response. People who have experienced difficult times need a safe space to express their story, and I offer just that. I am nonjudgmental and understand that sometimes we find ourselves in places we never expected. I am here to listen and help you navigate your unique situation. I work with you and keep you informed of your diagnosis and involve you in treatment planning.

I work with males between the ages of 13 through adulthood either in-person or virtual. I particularly like helping dads navigate fatherhood. With school-aged young men we work on friend/relationship concerns, home life, gaining independence, parental divorce, loss, school life, and what to do after high school. With adult men and dads I help them find balance with family, work, and friend issues as they navigate this new role. Finding space and maintaining energy apart from the family unit without guilt while fostering positive masculinity is tough to learn, but necessary to be more present with the self as well as partners & kids.

At the heart of my practice is the emphasis on building a warm, empathic relationship based on trust and acceptance, where you will feel the freedom to discuss whatever is important to you in each session. Your life and experiences are unique. If you are looking for a therapist who can help you dive deeper, or who will take the time to truly hear you and understand you before offering guidance, we will be a good fit. As a doctor in clinical and transpersonal psychology, I am well equipped to help you through either mental health or spiritual concerns.

Do you feel stuck, stalled, and overwhelmed? Do you feel shame, grief, or isolation? You might feel debilitating worry, have chronic sadness, or even struggle to get out of bed every day. You probably feel lost, unsteady, and lonely. Perhaps you don’t know why you feel so empty and dissatisfied, but nothing you try seems to produce long-term changes. Or, maybe you are aware of a particular issue causing you pain, such as an unfulfilling job or relationship, and carry deep self-doubt or shame. This discomfort is the part of you that is longing for something different. But another part feels unsure and uncomfortable with change.

It can take a lot of courage to ask for help when struggling or feeling hopeless. I believe in the ability and potential of all persons to live happy and fulfilling lives. I promote holistic health and wellness through the components of both mind and body. I work to aid you in fostering hope and meaning in your life, now and for the future. I encourage clients to set attainable goals and work closely with my clients to find value and meaning in life and gain greater life satisfaction and happiness through addressing cognitive, emotional and behavioral factors.

Accepting NEW clients! I know that finding a therapist can be an overwhelming process. I honor your courage and hope that I can provide a soft place for you to land. I aim to foster a safe, empowering, and collaborative space for my clients. Sometimes we find ourselves losing focus of our life's purpose. Together, we can help identify your values and incorporate them in your life. Through mindfulness practices and acceptance-based strategies, I can help you let go of what is no longer serving you. The ultimate goal for my clients is to decrease any areas of distress while pursuing your values and finding more meaning in your life.

My professional education and training was only a part of my development in the field of Clinical Social Work. The other segment that was equally significant was my life prior to attaining my professional credentials as a daughter, wife, mother and grandmother. Life's many challenges provided me with insight into the Human experience and practical application in overcoming them. I not only bring my knowledge of Mental Health, and Alcoholism and Addiction, but also my passion for Clinical Art Psychotherapy, all of which I am Certified to practice in. My primary focus isn't only on the individual but also the "foundation of family".

In order for all of us to grow and heal, it is imperative to spend time investigating the deeper elements of our personalities. With that said, an ideal client would be someone interested in putting effort into exploring their innermost thoughts and feelings. I work to offer a multi-faceted approach to treatment that will help my clients work through issues related to the many aspects of self-identity, interpersonal relations, trauma, stress, anxiety, and depression. I consider it a sign of strength to begin searching for a therapist, and a sign of courage to take the leap into deep explorations of Self.

I understand that it can be difficult to take the first step towards counseling. I’m here to help with what you are experiencing, and I welcome the opportunity to assist you with your needs. In my work, I strive authentically to help my clients to achieve their goals. I accept you where you are nonjudgmentally, work with you to identify practical strategies to overcome struggles you are encountering, and help you to gather tools needed to thrive in life. I’m happy to serve as a safe place to assist you in getting to the places where you’d like to go.

Hey, thanks for checking out my listing. If you're struggling with difficult emotions related to your past or feeling stuck in old patterns and trying to manage these issues has only created more problems, help is here for you. If you can relate don't hesitate to reach out. I won’t pretend to know exactly how you're feeling, but as a healer and fellow traveler on the path of wellness, I understand these challenges in a unique way. Contact me for a free unhurried consultation.

I have over 20 years of experience in mental health. I am trained in EMDR, Hypnotherapy and CBT. I enjoy using humor to ease tension and lighten the mood, as I build rapport and help people feel supported. When working with clients, I help them identify natural support systems, set healthy boundaries, develop coping skills, gain work/life balance and process trauma. I have a holistic collaborative approach to care focusing on building resiliency using active listening, empathy and unconditional positive regard.