Damara Israel, LCSW, LISW-CP - Therapist in New York

About Damara

Damara Israel is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in New York. She draws on 12 years of experience to support people facing difficult changes, career challenges, and emotional struggles. Damara works with clients who feel stuck by shame, impulsivity, isolation, or grief and helps them find clearer direction.

She blends practical tools with steady, down-to-earth guidance so discussions stay focused and useful. Clients can expect straightforward conversations about goals and next steps.

Background and approach

Damara uses concrete exercises and questions to surface patterns that keep problems repeating. She pays attention to workplace stresses, life purpose concerns, and shifts that happen in the middle stages of life. Sessions aim to clarify what matters and set small, manageable steps forward.

Her background includes training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. These approaches inform techniques for changing unhelpful thinking, managing strong emotions, and strengthening motivation to try new behaviors. Damara also brings trauma-informed and culturally aware practices into her work.

People come to her for help with addictions, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, family issues, anger, and career questions. She also addresses body image, commitment and communication problems, control issues, loneliness, and midlife concerns. Her style is attentive and pragmatic, focused on helping people make real, doable shifts.

Sessions are offered in English and conducted online by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Damara holds LCSW and LISW-CP credentials and practices in New York.

Practical therapeutic approaches for online care

Damara commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in her online work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, teaches skills for managing intense emotions, improving distress tolerance, and strengthening interpersonal effectiveness.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with clients about their goals and try different techniques as needed. Together they decide which combination of methods fits the person's needs and preferences, revisiting that plan as progress unfolds.

Online sessions include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to offer flexibility. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work and family schedules and to continue care during transitions. The range of formats lets clients pick how they communicate and practice skills between meetings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does she help with?

She works with concerns such as addictions, grief, anger, compassion fatigue, career difficulties, and coping with life changes. Additional focus areas include body image, communication problems, isolation, and midlife issues.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her style is practical and attentive, with an emphasis on clear steps and skill-building. Sessions often mix concrete exercises with reflective conversation to help clients change unhelpful patterns.

What is her professional background?

She has 12 years of clinical experience and uses trauma-informed, culturally aware practices alongside evidence-based methods. Her work focuses on emotional challenges and life transitions.

What credentials and location are listed?

She holds LCSW and LISW-CP credentials with license numbers NY LCSW 089400 and SC LISW-CP 15033, and practices in New York.

In which languages are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English.

What formats are available for meetings?

Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

How does pricing and billing work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I get started with therapy?

To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 12 years
Licensed: South Carolina, New York, Texas
Languages: English

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