Dez Emeahara, AMFT
Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, supervised by catherine morrill, lmft#49091
Who I Work With
Children/teens, young adults, and couples to help them experience a renewed sense of hope, peace, and love for themselves and others.
Specialties
Depression & Anxiety
Relationship Issues
Trauma, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), & Complex PTSD
Grief & Loss
Art & Creativity
Multicultural Issues
Spiritual Integration & Church Hurt
About
Somewhere along the way, you stopped feeling like yourself. You feel alone, stuck, and overwhelmed. Loving yourself is a struggle, and relationship difficulties add to your burden. Despite everything you've been through, taking care of yourself often feels impossible because you're so busy taking care of others. You’ve been through so much, lost so much, and you’re at the point where you constantly feel sad and worried.
I empathize with you and I can help! Before becoming a therapist, I was on the path to becoming a professional performing artist. During my healing journey, I discovered the power of art in processing emotions and coping with life's challenges. This discovery led me to combine my passion for art with my desire to help people heal.
I work with children/teens, young adults, and couples. I work with those impacted by trauma, depression, anxiety, and relationship difficulties. I also support those who have faced loss and those navigating cultural and racial challenges. My previous experiences include working with children on the Autism Spectrum and teens with depression and anxiety. I have also helped partners of sex addicts work through betrayal trauma. My approach is integrative, meaning I adapt my methods to meet your unique needs. In our sessions, we’ll explore how your past affects your present and delve into the thoughts and emotions within your internal world. In clinical terms, I often use Internal Family Systems (IFS), Psychodynamic and Attachment theory, mindfulness, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If you’re up for it, we may even integrate art and spirituality in the process.
My clients describe me as attentive, empathetic, and gentle. They often leave our sessions feeling seen, safe and heard. Whether you're new to therapy or seeking a fresh perspective, I’m here to support you on your journey to rediscovering yourself and finding peace.
What I Do in My Free Time
Outside of therapy, I love spending time with my husband, my friends, and my adorable rescue pup, Moo. I value connecting with God, being in nature, and staying involved in church. My love for performing arts remains and I find ways to perform whether it’s singing, acting, dancing, or doing aerial arts.
Education
Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy; Hope International University
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts; California State University, Fullerton
Certifications/Advanced Training/Memberships
Prepare and Enrich, a comprehensive assessment tool used in both premarital and marriage therapy
Long Beach • Santa Ana • Virtual
dez@soulrestorationproject.org
714-262-4445, ext. 16