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Dora Palma , MSW, LGSW
Psychotherapist
Dora Palma (she/her/hers) is a bilingual (Spanish/English) Therapist at Hamm Clinic. Dora has a Bachelor of Nursing from Ricardo Palma University in Lima, Peru and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. She has more than 14 years of experience working as a Family Case Manager and Parenting Specialist for Latino families in the Aqui Para Ti / Here for You clinic within Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis, MN. In this role, Dora specialized in providing culturally responsive parenting coaching and psychoeducation in Spanish and English. In addition, she has experience working with survivors of trauma, complex trauma, and family separation due to immigration. She has experience facilitating support groups for victims of abuse and caregivers of adolescents.
Dora has developed a culturally sensitive approach and looks to collaborate and support individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds struggling with shame and disconnection to heal emotional wounds and help individuals to develop healthier connections to self and others. She supports clients in their journey to find their inner strength.
Dora’s interests and specialties include healing from complex trauma, family separation, intergenerational trauma, and family dynamics. Empowering her clients to recognize their inner strength is what drives her vibrant passion for curative care and moving forward with hope and positivity.
Damaris T. Pèrez Ramirez , MA, LP
Psychologist / PSICÓLOGA
Damaris Pèrez Ramirez is a bilingual Clinical Psychologist at Hamm Clinic. She is originally from Cuba, and has been in practice for over 35 years. Damaris lived and practiced in Spain before coming to the United States. When she eventually moved to Minnesota, she chose to convert her degree and credentials which would allow her to continue her practice in mental health care settings. Damaris earned her Master’s degree in Psychological Counseling from Saint Mary’s University. She has extensive experience as a college counselor while working as an associate psychology professor in a medical school in Cuba. Her areas of expertise are stress, anxiety, depression, health psychology, psychosomatic dysfunctions, relationship conflicts, and trauma. She provides individual, couples and family therapy. Damaris is an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing) certified Therapist. She also offers patients Mind-Body Techniques such as Progressive Relaxation, in English and in Spanish.
Damaris is not accepting new clients at this time.
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Damaris Pérez Ramírez es una psicóloga clínica bilingüe en Hamm Clinic. Damaris nació en Cuba y lleva más de 35 años ejerciendo. Damaris vivió y trabajó en España antes de mudarse a los Estados Unidos. Cuando se mudó a Minnesota, decidió convertir sus estudios y credenciales para poder continuar trabajando en el ámbito del cuidado de la salud mental. Damaris estudió una maestría en Asesoramiento Psicológico en Saint Mary’s University. Tiene una gran experiencia como consejera universitaria y trabajó como profesora de psicología asociada en la facultad de medicina en Cuba. Sus áreas de experiencia son el estrés, ansiedad, depresión, salud psicológica, disfunciones psicosomáticas, problemas en las relaciones y trauma. Proporciona terapia individual, de pareja y familiar. Damaris es una terapeuta certificada en EMDR (desensibilización y reprocesamiento por movimiento ocular). También ofrece a sus pacientes Técnicas de Cuerpo Mente en español e inglés, como por ejemplo la Relajación Progresiva.
Ellie Peterson
Macro Social Work Intern
Ellie Peterson (she/her) is a Macro Social Work Intern at the Hamm Clinic. Ellie graduated from Baylor University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work with a focus in multi-cultural macro practice at Augsburg University. Ellie has experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds, primarily in the areas of disability and mental health support. …
Read BioEllie Peterson (she/her) is a Macro Social Work Intern at the Hamm Clinic. Ellie graduated from Baylor University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in social work and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work with a focus in multi-cultural macro practice at Augsburg University. Ellie has experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds, primarily in the areas of disability and mental health support.
Ellie is passionate about creating change at the systems level to positively impact both providers and clients. At the Hamm Clinic, Ellie will be involved in fundraising and program evaluation to help support a thriving environment and maintain Hamm’s high standard of care for clients. Ellie believes in the importance of the Hamm Clinic and our mission and will work alongside multidisciplinary teams to ensure that both providers and clients feel supported and cared for at the Hamm Clinic.
Maryssa Poderzay , MD
Clinical Trainee
Maryssa Poderzay, MD (she/her) is a third year psychiatry resident working as a clinical trainee in psychotherapy. She studied biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth and earned her MD from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Maryssa has received training in a variety of methods, including cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and motivational interviewing. She has experience working with people of all ages and from many different backgrounds.
Maryssa believes in prioritizing clients’ autonomy and working collaboratively together. She notes that her goal is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental space for emotional processing and the work that comes with it.
Kira Pontiff
Office Specialist
Kira Pontiff is an Office Specialist at Hamm Clinic and the first point of contact for clients. She graduated from Hamline University with a degree in Theater Arts and still acts in her free time. She has over a decade of administrative and front office experience.
