Structural Family Therapy in Hayesville, NC

Welcome! I specialize in counseling for children (ages 2-12) addressing mental health concerns related to anger, anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, self-esteem, emotional dysregulation, disruptive behaviors and interpersonal conflicts with others. I also specialize in counseling for parents and caregivers addressing concerns related to parenting, behavior management, and strained family relationships.

Are you bombarded with thoughts that you’re unworthy of love or success? Do you feel like you’re too far behind or a fraud? Does this cause insomnia? Are you chronically dissatisfied, struggling to maintain moods let alone motivation? I’m here to tell you it’s ok; I know how that feels and it stinks. I help folks struggling with depression and anxiety so they grow beyond life’s transitions, be it relationships, gaining independence or grief, which isn’t just the loss of a loved one, it can also be the loss of a life we thought we’d have. You deserve contentment now.

My passion is assisting individuals and couples working through concerns/struggles that at times seem too hard to handle!

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.

There are seasons of life that challenge us, define us, inspire us and some that cripple us. We all experience hard things in life, my goal is to support and help the hurting through the difficult seasons of life. I see counseling as a journey. I get the privilege of walking with people through some of the struggles on their journey to go from places of surviving to thriving. Working with people who sincerely want to resolve their hurt, focus on growth and overcome past struggles is my passion. Whether it is trauma, addiction, depression, ADHD, I work with a variety of people in a variety of settings.

An ideal client would be someone who has possibly done some therapy work in the past, and still feels stuck in the area of relationships, addictions, trauma, grief or loss or someone who has never been to therapy previously. There are many places to get stuck in life, I find it interesting to find ways out of that place.

We are a diverse group of therapists, trained in different theoretical models that aim to provide person centered quality care therapy services. We serve all age groups, all gender identities, different cultural backgrounds and a wide arrow of mental health problems.We are bio-psycho-social beings, and an imbalance in one area affects the others. Therapy is a process that can enable you to identify what is making you struggle in your relationships, in your physical body and with your mental health. It can help you find unique ways to make the changes that will empower you to become more resilient and capable of healthy copying.

Life. It’s about how well we navigate the world around us; our family, friends, partner, career, health, financial obligations, etc. Our happiness is dependent on our capacity to keep “it” together. When one of these is confronted with a challenge, life begins to feel unbalanced. It’s that easy to lose our grasp on happiness. When this happens, life becomes more about survival and getting through the day than it does about savoring the moments and counting our blessings. This is where I can help. Together we will focus on life’s challenges and together we will find the opportunities to reclaim and maintain your Complete Peace.

As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, I have had the privilege of being welcomed into the lives of many children, teens, adults, parents, and families as they walk along their path towards healing. I particularly enjoy working with teenagers, young adults, and their parents. Clients who are stuck in patterns that are getting in the way of living the way they want to live find relief when we work together.

Adolescence and young adulthood are challenging times, full of growth and transition for individuals and families. I love supporting adolescents and emerging adults as they explore their identities and light their paths into adulthood. I am skilled at working with families through these transitional times, and also enjoy supporting couples in achieving healthy communication and partnership. My clinical experience runs the gamut from in-home work with court mandated youth, residential work with adolescent girls, and community-based outpatient therapy with high school students and kids in foster care.

Welcome! My name is Zoë and I look forward to learning more about you and your family’s story. I support the therapeutic growth of children and adolescents (ages 4-13), and families, addressing concerns related to anxiety, emotional and behavioral dysregulation, self-esteem, interpersonal conflict, and life transitions. I believe in the importance of integrating the family unit by providing individualized therapeutic support for caregivers, addressing concerns related to parenting and family dynamics.

I have 25 years of experience working with individuals, families and children. We all have struggles in life. I personally believe that everyone can benefit from therapy. Every person's struggle presents an opportunity to make life changes. Sometimes it's hard to determine which road to take or even how to carry on in life. Good support and a therapist who accepts you with respect and dignity, presents as non-judgmental and objective, can help you clarify your needs, goals, and wants. You will move forward and figure out how to become your best self. Then, you can learn to use some of these techniques yourself!

Defense mechanisms look like reactive behaviors, self-sabotaging, and avoidance. As frustrating as they can be, they’re necessary to keep us safe. Without them, our painful experiences would be overwhelming. It’s important to have skills that help you manage your feelings on a day to day basis. What I help with is working with your defense mechanisms to help uncover the sensitive feelings underneath. It’s helpful to give those some room to breathe. Developing a practice to check in with yourself will help them become more manageable. Overtime, you’ll notice yourself acting from your strengths, rather than protecting your weaknesses.

Do you need someone to bear witness to your daily struggles, and pain? Do you need someone to listen to your story about the difficulties you are having in life that leave you feeling stuck and unable to move forward? Do you feel shut down, worried, anxious, tired, sad, or angry? Are you struggling with school, work, or financial issues? Are you struggling to make it through the day because you are having problems adjusting to changes in your life? Do you feel unappreciated or misunderstood by friends, family or your partner? Are you feeling unsteady or afraid because you've been abused.

Happiness often feels as if it belongs to everyone else. The steps you've taken seem to only go backwards, no matter the intent. Difficult situations and regretful choices trap us in hopelessness. You feel lost even though you feel as if you've been down every path. You are ready for something to change. One thing all my clients hear me say is that “it’s easier for us to choose to be miserable and remain where we are now; however, if we choose to be uncomfortable for just a few moments, we may achieve something we thought not possible.”

I connect easily with clients to feel lighter and clearer in their minds, body, and Spirit. I work with people with stressful careers in medicine, law, finance, and small businesses. Knowing the necessity of keeping a clear head and calm body, yet have been struggling with heartbreak, anxiety, fears, loss and grief that has created overwhelming stress and expectations that limits functioning. It is a challenging balancing act with career, family, relationships, along with finding some quiet time to relax. I help you master these challenges with a very confidential, (no insurance or electronic records) safe, and caring environment.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 30 years of experience; I value the uniqueness of each individual and in the strength and creativity of the human spirit. Within the counseling relationship is a safe place to define areas of growth, vent feelings, explore possibilities, find encouragement and move toward peacefulness. My approach to counseling is gentle and encouraging, although I can be direct when helpful. I will support without judging and am respectful of individual and cultural differences. Success Starts with YOU and Counseling can help !

Growing up and learning how to navigate the world can be tough. Trying to navigate this world while struggling with intrusive thoughts, feeling like you're not enough, and like no one understands you can feel impossible. You or your child may face anxiety, depression, or life transitions, craving understanding and coping strategies. Your goal may be growth, resilience, and self-empowerment. Together, we can cultivate self-awareness, nurture inner strengths, and foster positive change to build healthier relationships and discover your or your child's authentic self. I work with children, adolescents, and adults.