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Dr. Darlene Viggiano

Dr. Darlene Viggiano, LMFT

Therapist · California · 18+ years of experience

Practical therapy for relationships and life transitions

Continue with Darlene

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  • Relationship focus
  • Practical strategies
  • Attachment-informed

About Darlene

Dr. Darlene Viggiano is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with 18 years of clinical work. She focuses on relationship strain, grief, addiction concerns, stress and anxiety, and life transitions such as midlife crisis. She also helps people facing trauma, parenting challenges, career questions, and struggles with self-esteem and intimacy.

She uses straightforward, conversational sessions where people can talk about what feels most urgent. Her work draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how relationships shape current problems. She also brings client-centered and cognitive behavioral approaches to help clients try new ways of thinking and behaving.

Darlene earned a PhD in Psychology and a Master’s in Psychology, and she has a long history working in intensive outpatient and clinical leadership roles. Her background includes work with substance use, dual diagnosis, and programs addressing interpersonal violence and anger management.

Her practice also includes work informed by emotionally-focused and existential perspectives. That means she attends to feelings and meaning as well as practical steps people can take between sessions. She has provided workshops and written on dreams and pregnancy loss, and she maintains professional membership in clinical hypnosis and family therapy associations.

People who choose her often want a mix of emotional understanding and concrete strategies. The first sessions typically focus on identifying immediate concerns and practical steps for change. From there she and the client shape a plan that fits the person’s goals and daily life.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issues

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyAddictionsSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

Caregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFamily of origin issuesInfidelityLife purposeMidlife crisisMulticultural concernsPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Sex addictionSexual assault and abuseSmoking / vaping cessationWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodHypnotherapyImago Relationship TherapyJungian TherapyMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

18+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early and current relationship patterns influence feelings and behavior. Online sessions using this perspective often look at interaction patterns and emotional responses in everyday life to improve closeness and trust.

Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes a nonjudgmental, listening stance where the therapist follows the client’s lead. In remote work this approach helps clients speak freely about what matters most and set their own goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical tools to change thoughts and actions that keep problems going. CBT work in online sessions commonly includes homework exercises and short skill practices between meetings.

Finding the right approach is usually a collaborative process. The therapist will help identify which methods fit a person’s needs, goals, and preferences and adjust the plan as therapy progresses.

Confirm the current session formats before booking to learn what is offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy life, shorten commute time, and allow focused check-ins during a work break or evening. It also supports doing practice exercises and tracking progress between sessions without requiring travel.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does she address?

She supports people with relationship conflict, grief, trauma and addiction-related issues, as well as stress, anxiety, sleep problems, parenting strain, and midlife crisis.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Sessions combine empathic listening with practical techniques. Expect attention to emotional experience alongside exercises to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 18 years of clinical practice and a history working in intensive outpatient settings and clinical supervision roles.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in California and holds a PhD in Psychology.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the U.S. work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

How does payment and cost work?

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

How do I begin working with her?

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

Dr. Darlene Viggiano Online therapy options on BetterHelp

Continue with Darlene