About Dara, LPCC
Ready to start feeling emotionally safe and secure in your relationships?
I help individuals, couples, and families change to have more understanding, acceptance, 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 -thereby developing 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 securely attached, 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 a year 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 me—knowing that my therapist will support me through each step.
You recognize that change requires my active and consistent participation.
You value honest and straightforward feedback, even when it challenges me.
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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Emotion-Oriented Therapy focuses on helping you understand and work with your emotions as a pathway to healing and growth. Instead of avoiding or pushing feelings aside, this approach supports you in exploring them safely so they can guide you toward deeper insight and change. By reconnecting with your emotions in a compassionate way, you can build healthier relationships with yourself and others.
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Attachment-based therapy explores how our early relationships shape the way we connect with others as adults. If those early bonds were inconsistent or painful, we may carry patterns of fear, doubt, or disconnection into our current relationships. In therapy, we gently work to understand these patterns and create new experiences of safety, trust, and connection, helping you build more secure and fulfilling relationships with yourself and others.
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I believe therapy should be tailored to fit each person’s unique needs, goals, and story. Together, we’ll explore what feels most important to you to support your growth in a way that feels safe and effective. My goal is to meet you where you are and walk alongside you as we work toward the changes and connections you’re seeking.
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Your privacy is a top priority in therapy, and everything you share is treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality. Sessions are held in a safe, nonjudgmental space where you can talk openly without fear of being criticized or exposed. My goal is to create a secure environment where you feel comfortable exploring your thoughts and emotions freely
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
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples Externship
Emotionally Focused Therapy For Couples - 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.
