Therapists serving clients in Laguna Beach, CA

Who am I? My name is Dr. Damaris Conrad and I have been in practice as a licensed Marriage, Family Psychotherapist for the past 24 years. I hold licenses as an MFT in California and in Idaho, and Clinical Supervision certification. I also teach online in Masters/ Doctoral programs for CACREP Therapy program in Higher Ed and have been teaching for well over 20 years. I have been married to the same man for 41 years and I will be the first one to admit that marriage is one of the toughest relationships you can commit to. We have walked through many hills and valleys, and there were days we wondered if our marriage would survive or become a statistic. Together, we have 2 adult children who are married and are enjoying their love and life partnerships for the past several years. My Focus in Therapy My commitment to providing high-quality psychotherapy is backed by over 24+ years of experience. Combining evidence-based methods, a comprehensive knowledge of current research and a compassionate partnership with each unique individual, I offer support to help solve problems and assist in making healthy decisions, adjusting comfortably to change, while providing tools to overcome the emotional distress that keeps us stuck. Our work together will be tailored to your specific goals and will incorporate approaches drawn from the Integrative Model of Therapy which includes Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral, Family Systems while sometimes including a bit of Narrative or Collaborative forms of therapy, in order to help you create the life you want. My clients often tell me that I tend to get to the “juggler quickly” while gently assisting you as we move through the ambivalence, resistance, or pain which may be underlying the stuck feeling when faced with life changes. My job is to provide non-judgmental support and help you explore the steps needed to move forward, whether it's overcoming anxiety, depression or trauma, conquering anger or behavioral issues, addressing relationship and/or family challenges, gaining clarity on career frustrations or transitions, managing issues related to aging, improving communication or reducing stress. I tend to see my role as a coach, co-collaborator, and will partner with you, walk alongside of you, and believe in getting down into the trenches to tackle the obstacles, find the skills, tools, and answers together. My clients often tell me that I am NOT the type of therapist that sits silently by in session by just giving you the occasional head nod and verbal “uh-huh”. Instead, I give direct feedback, and actively challenge you to dig deeper, or look closer, stay with the tension, as we unlock and extract the answers together. It is my desire to bring hope, optimism, humility and humor to my work and feel that it is an honor to be invited on each new journey. You will be treated with respect, care and compassion while also receiving constructive guidance to help you navigate the murky waters. What do I do in my spare time? In my spare time, I have been writing on the issues of my heart. I am the author of 3 books which include The Fork in the Road: When your Spouse goes Left and You go Right, and a book on reversing Diabetes Naturally and gaining back our health and life, and another book called Just Desserts: Sugar Free and Low Carb Desserts for the Sweet Tooth in All of Us! I also play the piano, love to read, serve in various roles at church, love to entertain, and enjoy some forms of camping and hiking, and white-water rafting with our family and friends. Passions in Therapy You might think it a bit strange that a Psychotherapist would write on health-related issues, but it is important to understand the connection between mind, body, spirit. When we are stressed or going through long term or chronic conflict, it often manifests in medical and health disorders, weight and sleep issues. If left unchecked, it can hinder or impact the way we see the world through our emotions, cognition's, psychological-mental health, and in many cases affects our spiritual and physical health. Have you ever heard someone tell you that they can’t sleep, or they are overeating, or all they want to do is lie down and shut the world off? Often this is due to the unrecognized toll and stress or long-term conflict in relationships, which can steal from our bodies, health, and emotions, not to mention our peace of mind. We learn to push these things down deep inside and we don’t necessarily make the connection between the anxiety or depression that we are feeling, and the way it may be manifesting (symptomatically) within our bodies and what our bodies may be trying to tell us. I have personally lived in a very long-term situation with chronic stress and at times, it can feel like you are either going to explode (or even implode) if something doesn’t change soon. It is important to help us make that mind-body connection and learn the value of incorporating specific tools in taking care of ourselves. Sometimes, this can be as simple as removing something off of our to-do list, and other times it can mean heading to the doctor to rule out what is behind our physical symptoms. Another passion I hold dear is working and specializing in issues with couples in crisis. Marriage and family issues have their own unique markers and when we are in crisis, we try many things to bring back the peace and status quo. Sometimes the tools and skills we have may not be enough, and we need to explore what is maintaining the symptoms and why we keep getting stuck into the same old patterns. Together, we will work on identifying what those patterns are, the role the patterns of (behaviors, beliefs, attitudes) serve while we explore how to navigate the minefields that threaten to blow up our relationships. Population(s) and Issues I Serve The population I work with include Individuals, Couples, Families. Whether you are looking for premarital counseling, or you are involved in a marriage of many years, many of us find that we need someone to walk alongside us, as we identify and push through the barriers. Here is a just a small sample of issues I work with which include but are not limited to the following: • Marital Issues (intimacy, fidelity and infidelity, destructive behavior patterns, communication challenges, trauma, abuse, etc., parenting, infertility, sexual issues, in-laws, boundaries, work-life-ministry balance, Stages of Marriage & Parenting, Conflict Resolution, sexual issues, aging, empty nest,) • Stress, Anxiety, Depression • Forgiveness • Relationship Issues (Boundaries, Assertiveness, Mindfulness, Communication, Self Esteem & Other Esteem, Identity, Multi-Generational Patterns) • Premarital • ADHD (Adults, Adolescents, Children) • Woman’s Issues • Health & Wellness: Adjustment & Growth • Trauma and Different Forms of Abuse, Victimization • TBI, PTSD • Military • Ministry Couples, • Grief & Loss • Divorce & Separation (Challenges, Recovery, Healing) • Parenting • Blended Family Issues • Career /Vocational Transitions and Challenges Services Offered Live, Phone, Chat, Video It takes courage to seek a more fulfilling and happier life while addressing the issues, uncovering blind spots, and identifying needed changes. I would be honored to walk this path with you, support the needed steps give you feedback, and empower you throughout the journey. If you are looking for an experienced, skilled, and compassionate therapist, then let’s get started, today! Dr. Damaris Conrad

I am a licensed clinical social worker counselor in Oregon and California with over 20 years of experienceworking as a therapist and health coach. I have worked with clients with a widerange of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parentingproblems, career challenges, eating disorders and borderline personality disorders. I also helped many people who have experienced physical trauma or emotional abuse. My counseling style is non judgemental and down to earth. I believe in treating anyone with respect,sensitivity, and compassion, and I want to hear your story with an open heart and mind. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, dialectical behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing psychodynamic and rational-emotivecounseling. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. I am constantly learning and taking courses to make sure my approach is unique to each situation. It takes a lot of guts to seek out help and work to reduce suffering to create a fulfilling life. . I have a passion for helping people with complex presentations including chronic medical issues, eating disorders, mood instability, anxiety, self harm behaviors, suicidal thoughts, and symptoms of trauma. Together we will explore thoughts, feelings, behaviors and uncover what is leading to self limiting behaviors and beliefs. I will help you develop the school to create a life of peace. Outside of my work as therapist, I enjoy visiting my family in LA, and watching my daughter dance, I am passionate about juicing and spin class. My best friend is my dog Sailor a Havaton (half Havanese/half Coton du Tulear).

I am licensed in California with 25 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with family conflicts, trauma and abuse, & parenting issues. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, relationship issues, & intimacy related issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 40 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, & parenting issues. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, relationship issues, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I also love working with people who are questioning and want to talk about their faith in God. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

My individual clients are struggling with anxiety, getting sober, have long term sobriety, or are expats adjusting to their new country. They are struggling in a relationship, family, or marriage and want to feel connected and joyous with those that they love. I will not sit there and nod and ask, "how does that make you feel?" I am very active in therapy and we will work together to create the life you want. I interweave assessment with psychodynamic, family systems, humor, attachment focused therapy with coaching techniques and Mindfulness to provide personal individualised treatment. I'm a queer therapist married to my husband 29 years with 2 grown kids. I have 31 years in recovery from alcoholism. We are all struggling in life. It's freaking incomprehensible a lot of the time. I truly respect you. I will work collaboratively with you not through some weird hierarchy. You know what is best for you and we will find out exactly what that is so you can live a life of peace, joy, and fulfilment.

I am licensed in California with 13 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with relationship issues, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, coping with life changes, & executive and professional coaching. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.

I am licensed in California with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

I am licensed in California with 5 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, anger management, motivation, self esteem, and confidence, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.