About Dara, LPCC
Want to start feeling emotionally safer and more secure in your relationships?
I help individuals, couples, and families change to achieve greater understanding, acceptance, nurturing, and happiness.
let me be the first to tell you:
Personal and relational growth is possible!
My own life has involved many restarts—new places, new cultures, new communities—and through that, I’ve worked with my own counselors, learned to adjust, and grown into a well-rounded person. Those experiences inspire me in my work today. I’ve always loved understanding people and being curious about how relationships thrive or struggle, and I believe therapy can be one of the most transformative, even joyful, journeys. In my practice, I create a safe space for clients to explore fears, insecurities, and the painful cycles that leave them feeling disconnected, anxious, or uncertain about love. I’m committed to helping you move from disconnection and unhappiness to building deeper bonds—where you can step out of old patterns and communicate your needs with openness, confidence, and kindness.
I’m an American who was raised mostly in Anchorage, Alaska, though my life has taken me across states and even abroad. I’ve traveled to different countries and states, spent meaningful time in Japan, and later moved to Oregon before settling in California. For 20 years, I worked as a nurse, caring for people’s physical health with great joy. But over time, I felt a strong pull toward the world of emotional healing and the deeper connections that shape our lives. In 2017, I followed that call and began my counseling program, combining my medical background with a new passion for the inner healing journey.
How I work
I believe that therapy is a place to lay down your defenses and learn to be vulnerable, which develops closeness and safety in your relationships.
I love teaching my clients what truly works to create long-lasting, stable, loving, and connected bonds. This isn’t a quick fix, and it isn’t easy—because real change means untangling the old habits and patterns we’ve been carrying our entire lives. Change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, consistency, and sometimes even uncomfortable rumblings as new ways of relating take root. But when you begin to practice what it means to feel close and connected, the impact ripples through every part of your life. Not only do your romantic relationships shift, but your connections with your kids, friends, parents, and even with yourself begin to transform.
So how do I help couples make this kind of change? It’s more than just talking about problems—it’s about experiencing a new way of being together. My clients often tell me that I have a soothing presence and that my warmth and relational framework help create the kind of safety they need to be vulnerable with one another. I don’t just nod and smile; I jump into the emotional soup with you. I will challenge you, guide you, and help you see patterns you may have missed for years. Think of our work together not as a “crash diet,” but as a lifestyle overhaul for your relationship.
To get the most out of this process, you can expect to invest at least one to two years in practicing new ways of connecting until they become second nature—through both good and stressful days, vacations, and conflicts alike. I draw from evidence-based approaches that require years of advanced training and ongoing consultation, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Internal Family Systems (IFS).
My therapy style is deeply relationship-based, and I believe one of the strongest predictors of success is a good fit between you and your therapist. If you’re ready for lasting change, I’d be honored to do this meaningful work with you.
We are a good fit if —
You understand that commitment to the therapy process is one of the most important ingredients for a successful outcome.
You are willing to be vulnerable in treatment—whatever that might look like for you—knowing that my therapist will support you through each step.
You recognize that change requires your active and consistent participation.
You value honest and straightforward feedback, even when it challenges you.
We are not a good fit if —
You cannot commit to coming weekly
You are not willing to feel your emotions
You want a quick-fix
You are not willing to be honest with yourself
Therapy with me is —
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Both emotionally focused therapy (EFT) and internal family systems (IFS) are well-researched, evidence-based approaches that have demonstrated strong outcomes in improving emotional well-being and relationship satisfaction.
EFT is grounded in attachment theory and has decades of empirical support showing its effectiveness in helping couples reduce conflict, increase emotional closeness, and build secure bonds.
IFS is supported by growing research in neuroscience and trauma treatment, which has shown significant success in helping individuals heal from past wounds, improve self-compassion, and integrate emotional aspects of the self.
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Therapy with me isn’t simply about venting your feelings—it’s about creating real, lasting change. Using EFT and IFS, we work together to uncover and shift the deeper emotional patterns that keep you stuck. Research has shown that EFT helps over 70% of couples transition from distress to a secure connection, with results that last for years. While, IFS is supported by neuroscience studies demonstrating lasting improvements in emotional regulation, self-compassion, and trauma recovery. These approaches are evidence-based, structured, and profoundly transformative, helping you not just talk about change, but truly experience it.
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In therapy with me, you’ll find a space of deep acceptance, warmth, and support -where every perspective in the room is welcomed without judgment. Whether you come as a couple or individual, my role is not to take sides but to understand and honor each person’s experience with genuine empathy and care. Therapy is an environment that is safe for exploring difficult emotions, repairing connections, and moving towards healing with confidence that you are seen and accepted as you are.
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Therapy with me is a collaborative process - we work together as a team. I’m not the kind of therapist who sits back and says nothing, but I also don’t take over or tell you what to do. Instead, I’ll walk alongside you, offering guidance, insight, and support, while ensuring your voice leads the way. My goal is to create a balanced partnership where you feel supported and empowered to practice and learn in a supportive environment.
specializing in:
01.
Relationship with your special person
02.
Relationship with Yourself
My Background & Training
01
Education
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor
Masters in Counseling
02
Professional Affiliations
CAMFT (California Asssociation of Marriage and Family Therapists)
03
Training
ICEEFT Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples Externship and Core Skills
Dara participates in group and/or individual supervision monthly basis in emotionally-focused therapy for couples and is working toward certification
Internal Family Systems Level 1
Internal Family Systems Level 2 (Intimacy from the inside out)
Dara participates in monthly Individual and/or Group Therapy supervision for Internal Family Systems and is working towards certification.
