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One of Demitra’s favorite quotes is by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Oftentimes, we may not have a clear vision of what’s ahead of us and we may not see the end that we desire, but we still have to make a start. As we take one step at a time, each step reveals the next step, no matter how big or how small. This perspective has inspired Demitra on numerous occasions throughout her life and during the process, she has learned to be kind, patient and loving to herself while standing in faith.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Demitra earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development with an emphasis in Women’s Development from California State University, East Bay. She also earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology with a specialty in Marriage Family Therapy from Holy Names University.
Demitra’s clinical experience has involved working with children, adolescents, and adults and she has a passion for working with people of color and diverse backgrounds. In addition, her experience includes working in community mental health, county settings, substance recovery, forensic mental health, and private practice. Her specific areas of focus include, but are not limited to, grief and loss, life transitions, depression, anxiety, trauma, life purpose and spirituality. Additionally, she treats women’s issues including domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, low self-esteem, family conflict, relationship issues, substance use, self-harming and suicidal ideation across the lifespan. Her style of work is from a client-centered and holistic approach that integrates several techniques to meet the needs of her clients. She believes in the mind, body, and spirit connection and uses this to encourage self-awareness, insight, personal growth, healing, self-compassion, and overall well-being.
Demitra’s clinical background and education were inspired by a desire as a child to help others. She grew up in a community where there were drugs, alcohol, violence, high crime rates, low income, and people with untreated mental health issues and past trauma. She not only wanted a better life for herself but a better life for her family, peers, and those in her community; she holds deep compassion for others. Her professional and personal life experiences have given her a great deal of insight and empathy. She understands struggle, pain, and the change process during life’s most trying times, setbacks, and hardships. It was her life’s journey and personal healing process that led her to a career where she is wholeheartedly dedicated to helping others on their journey to healing. She is both humbled and honored to have a career that allows her the opportunity to be in a helping position, where she is able to help her clients live a more fulfilling life by doing the work that it takes to better themselves, improve their mindset, behaviors, circumstances, and environment.
Demitra has been known for her ability to connect with clients while creating a space for them to open up freely to share and explore what is on their minds and hearts. Being able to establish rapport has allowed her to strengthen the therapeutic alliance with her clients, which tends to lead to a better outcome in treatment. Demitra is sincere and genuine with an understanding nature, and she will meet her clients where they are in their lives and walk alongside them on their journey toward healing and personal growth. They will be supported in navigating life's most difficult challenges, guiding them in processing any issues related to trauma and uncover the roadblocks and mental barriers keeping them from living their fullest potential.
Demitra believes that therapy should be a partnership, and with a compassionate approach, her goal is to provide a safe therapeutic relationship and a welcoming, non-judgmental space where her clients feel accepted, respected, validated, understood, and empowered. Throughout the collaborative journey, she will work with her clients toward obtaining the relief they are seeking. She will build upon their inner strengths and will develop achievable goals that focus on finding practical solutions and coping strategies that work for her clients’ specific situation and individual needs.