Welcome to Merge Mental Health
…because wholeness has many parts
Merge Mental Health is your home for modern + mindful therapy services combining cutting-edge, evidence-based brain + body interventions to support you in a holistic approach to mental health and wellness. A goal of Merge Mental Health is to assist you in building a healthy relationship between your mind, body, and self so they can work together in ways that are helpful and informative. My practice views symptoms through an anti-oppressive lens and understands how cultural influences and oppressive systems and institutions of society, such as sexism, racism, classism, ageism, heterosexism, etc., impact our overall health and happiness.
Some of my Specialty Areas
Through experience, I have learned that there is no one modality that works for any individual. In drawing from an array of trauma, somatic, cognitive, and relational treatment modalities, attachment therapies, as well as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation practices, I offer a modern, holistic, and individualized therapy approach for every client’s unique needs.
Meet Dora Damico
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Qualified Supervisor, NASW-FL Sarasota-Manatee Unit Chair, EMDR Therapist, and Registered Yoga Teacher
Hi, I’m Dora and I’m glad you are here!
Many people ask me the question: Why did you choose the profession of social work? In case you may also be wondering, I chose the profession, with intention, due to its de-pathologizing perspective of understanding an individual’s behavior in light of the environmental contexts in which a person lives. Social work asks the question: what happened to you as opposed to what’s wrong with you.
As an undergraduate student studying Psychology and Women’s Studies at Rutgers University, I learned not only how our biology affects our health and mental health but also how one’s gender, race, culture, economic status, etc., impacts our overall health and well-being. In pursing higher education, the social work field with its person-in-environment practice-guiding principle highlighting the importance of seeing the whole individual aligned with my interests and led me to pursue a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University.
My Experience
My experience in various settings including hospitals, intensive outpatient program, community mental health centers, and private practice working with children to older adults, coupled with extensive trainings in trauma, anxiety, somatic-based modalities, and relationships has allowed me to work with clients presenting with a wide range of diagnoses, symptoms, and issues, including ADHD, anxiety, codependencies, couples counseling, depression, eating disorders, emotion regulation, OCD, perfectionism, relational conflict, family of origin issues, grief and loss, traumas, and PTSD.
As a person with lived experience, my own personal journey informs my approach.
My Education
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, New York
- MSSW Master of Science in Social Work
- Specialization: Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice
- Practice Concentration: Health, Mental Health, and Disabilities
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY, New Jersey
- B.A. Bachelor of Arts
- Majors: Psychology, Women’s Studies
Approach
Client-centered | Compassionate | Curious
You are not your diagnosis.
Since life experiences can leave us feeling alone, confused, misunderstood, overwhelmed, and disconnected from ourselves, my approach aims at supporting you in self-discovery. Our work together will address the whole person: mind, body, and self, and focus on cultivating safety, self-awareness, curiosity, and self-kindness so that it’s possible to create the space necessary to address the roots of our symptoms and learn about the parts of self, one’s unique neurobiology, and untangle the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral patterns that often leave us feeling stuck. Our work together will not only focus on building a healthy relationship with oneself but also address how healing and growth happens in relationships, within community, and in the natural world. Through experience, I have learned that there is no one modality that works best for any individual. As an integrative therapist, I draw from an array of trauma, somatic, cognitive, and relational treatment modalities as well as yoga, mindfulness, and meditation practices. I offer a modern, holistic, and individualized therapy approach for every client’s unique needs. My approach is collaborative, and we will work together on a wellness plan that feels right for you. I am energized by learning and stay abreast of new and effective interventions, practices, resources, and regulation strategies that can offer support in your daily life. Also, I love leaning about the brain and enjoy incorporating this into therapy as I believe education is an integral component of therapy.
For more information, see my Psychology Today Profile here.
Our Sarasota Office
Dora's Certifications & Professional Affiliations
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, MMH accepts Medicare and is an out-of-network provider for all other insurance companies.
If you are new to Merge Mental Health, then the first step is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to determine if we are good fit to work together towards your therapeutic goals.
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost.
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith before you schedule an item or service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 850-245-4444 or 877-696-6775
Here are some helpful questions to ask your insurance provider before your first session:
• Do you accept out-of-network behavioral health or mental health providers?
• Is there a limit on the number of sessions I am entitled to per year?
• Do I have a deductible? If yes, how much is it? Have I met any portion of my
deductible with other medical expenses this year?
• Do you require pre-authorization or a referral from an MD or Primary Care
Physician?
• What amount of the psychotherapy (CPT 90834) fee will be reimbursed?
• What is the process for submitting claims – Mail, Fax, or Online? It will be
important to record the proper mailing, fax or web address so you will be ready to submit your claims.
If out of pocket expenses are financially not prohibitive, please see the payment options below. If those options are not a possibility for you, I will do my best to connect you with a practitioner/agency in my professional network that may meet your needs. I am committed to serving you.
For more details on our HIPPA privacy policy, please click here.
Connect for a Free Consultation
I feel privileged to potentially share in your healing journey and look forward to the opportunity to speak with you. Please complete the short form below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation. ***Please do not include protected health information.***If you are in crisis or need emergency assistance, please call 911 or go to your nearest hospital or emergency room. Other resources include The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: text or call 988, The Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 741741, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and the website SpeakingofSuicide.com/