About Designed to Overcome, LLC

Headshot of Esther Odamah, addiction and mental health therapist in Houston and Friendswood, Texas.

Experience, empathy, and empowerment

“We grow because we struggle, we learn and overcome.” – R. C. Allen

Designed to Overcome, LLC is led by a therapist with a lifelong connection to the chemically dependent population, beginning at age 11 as a child of Christian missionaries in Nigeria. This early and ongoing exposure to addiction and mental health challenges created a deep calling to serve individuals and families affected by substance use and emotional distress. Today, that calling continues through compassionate addiction and mental health counseling for adults and adolescents in Houston, Friendswood, and surrounding Texas communities.

Education and clinical training

Dr. Esther Odamah holds a PhD in psychology and a master’s degree in psychology, with specialized training in mental health and addiction counseling. She is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) and certified anger management specialist, with more than seven years of experience treating addictions, co‑occurring disorders, and related mental health concerns in Texas. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Odamah has been actively involved in research focused on addiction, mental health, and culturally responsive care, and integrates current evidence and best practices into the counseling process.

Issues treated

  • Substance dependencies and addictions

  • Co‑occurring disorders (addiction with mental health conditions)

  • Mood disorders, such as depression and bipolar disorder

  • Substance‑induced disorders

  • Stress‑related and trauma‑related disorders

  • General anxiety, adjustment, and life transition concerns

Therapeutic approach

I use a biopsychosocial framework to guide my approach, carefully assessing each client’s unique background, underlying factors, and current stressors. Culture, family, spirituality, and community are all considered when developing individualized treatment plans. I believe that culture plays a vital role in both the development and treatment of addiction and mental health concerns, and I am committed to providing culturally responsive, trauma‑informed care that honors each person’s story.

My approach to treating co‑occurring disorders focuses on addressing both addiction and mental health conditions at the same time, rather than treating them separately. Using a biopsychosocial framework, she integrates evidence‑based therapies (such as CBT and ACT), psychoeducation, and attention to culture, family, spirituality, and community so that clients receive coordinated, comprehensive care for both substance use and mood or anxiety symptoms.

Your path to recovery

My goal is to support clients in achieving lasting recovery and overall well‑being through compassionate, comprehensive, and culturally sensitive care. If you are seeking addiction counseling or mental health therapy in Houston, Friendswood, or nearby Texas communities, you are welcome here. Together, we can work toward meaningful change and a more hopeful future.