About Me
Dominique Balderas, MS, LPC, SAC-IT
Rooted in Healing, Lit by Purpose, Fueled by Fire.
I’m a licensed mental health and addiction counselor with a deep commitment to helping people heal, grow, and reclaim their power. With over a decade of experience working across the full continuum of care—from residential treatment to outpatient therapy—I specialize in addiction, trauma, recovery, and identity work.
As a multiethnic woman of color—Mexican American, African American, and Native American—I bring cultural humility, authenticity, and awareness into every space I step into. I understand firsthand the impact of systemic barriers, intergenerational trauma, and the ways our stories are often misunderstood in clinical settings. That’s why I create a space where clients—especially clients of color—can feel safe, seen, and spoken to without needing to explain or shrink themselves.
My approach is real, compassionate, and rooted in lived experience. I’m a person in long-term recovery, and I bring that lens into my work. I know what it’s like to fight your way out of the dark and rebuild from scratch. I’ve done the work, and I continue to do the work.
I don’t just teach healing—I live it. I don’t just believe in change—I embody it. And I never ask my clients to do anything I haven’t done (or wouldn’t do) myself. At my core, I believe in honesty, integrity, and the power of authentic connection. You won’t get a watered-down version of me, and I don’t expect a watered-down version of you. If you’re ready to get real, I’m here for it.
My Approach
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I approach every session with deep respect for your lived experience. Whether you’re carrying generational trauma, navigating the impact of systemic oppression, or healing from personal wounds, I hold space with compassion and care. I honor cultural identity, community wisdom, and ancestral resilience — all while challenging the systems that harm us. Your story deserves to be seen in context, not isolated from it.
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Yes, we’ll talk about emotions and meaning. But we’ll also talk about tools, habits, boundaries, and how to get through the next 24 hours. My work blends soulful insight with real-world strategy — whether you need help setting boundaries, making decisions, or building routines that don’t burn you out. I help you reconnect with your intuition and take aligned action.
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You get someone who truly listens — but I’m not just here to nod. I’ll reflect back what I see, offer challenges when needed, and help you reconnect to your inner wisdom. I don’t follow a script or stick to one rigid method. Our work will be shaped by your goals, your energy, and your voice — with space for both grief and laughter along the way.
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As someone who’s neurodivergent and deeply connected to nature, I understand the need for sensory-friendly, flexible, and non-linear approaches. I often incorporate mindfulness, breathwork, body awareness, and creative reflection. I believe healing can be sacred without being rigid — and sometimes the most powerful shifts happen in small, quiet moments.
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I show up as a real human. No therapist mask, no perfection. Just presence. Whether we’re talking recovery, identity, parenting, relationships, or purpose — you can expect honesty, warmth, and the kind of safety that comes from being truly seen. You don’t have to filter yourself here. You don’t have to shrink. You get to show up exactly as you are.
At the heart of my work is this: healing is possible, but it has to be real. No sugarcoating. No performance. Just truth, growth, and showing up together—flaws, fire, and all.