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LMFT

Dr. Darlene Viggiano, LMFT

  • Experience18 years
  • LocationCalifornia
  • Focus areasRelationship, Family, and Trauma and abuse
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Attachment-Based Therapy
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About Darlene

Dr. Darlene Viggiano is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) based in California who focuses on relationship, family, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, stress, anxiety, addictions, sleep problems, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, career concerns, bipolar disorder, depression, and coping with life changes.

Background and approach

With 18 years of clinical experience and a PhD in Psychology from Saybrook University, she combines clinical training and leadership roles to address a wide range of emotional and behavioral concerns.

Her background includes work in intensive outpatient programs, case management, and clinical supervision, and she has treated complex presentations such as perinatal substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and adults molested as children. Viggiano draws on multiple therapeutic approaches including Internal Family Systems, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, CBT, and Emotionally-Focused Therapy to tailor work to each person's needs.

She has provided Batterers’ Intervention, facilitated anger management, couples communication, hypnosis, and mindful movement interventions, and has trained paraprofessionals and students in modalities for abuse and addiction. Her professional activity also includes membership in professional organizations, presentations in Jungian and transpersonal psychology, and authorship of two books addressing dreams and pregnancy loss.

Integrative approaches for online therapy and healing

Dr. Viggiano uses Internal Family Systems to help clients notice and relate differently to inner parts, a method that can be useful for trauma, anxiety, and relational patterns by promoting internal collaboration and compassion. She also employs Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early relational experiences shape current connections and to strengthen emotional bonds and regulation skills. Client-Centered Therapy is another component of her practice, offering a respectful, empathic stance that prioritizes the client's pace and perspective.

Choosing a therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each person to determine which methods best match their goals, symptoms, and preferences, and adapts techniques over time based on progress and feedback.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, providing flexibility for clients balancing work, caregiving, or geographic limits. These formats allow ongoing access to licensed professionals and make it possible to continue therapeutic work from home or another convenient location while maintaining continuity of care.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with relationship and family struggles, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy issues, stress, anxiety, addictions, sleep problems, parenting, anger, self-esteem, mood disorders such as bipolar and depression, and other life transitions.
What is her therapeutic style and approach?
Her work integrates Internal Family Systems alongside attachment-based, client-centered, cognitive behavioral, and emotionally-focused approaches to match the needs of each client.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 18 years of clinical experience and has held roles including intensive outpatient clinician, case manager, and clinical lead supervisor.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with the California license CA LMFT 35420 and practices in California.
Does she work with clients who speak other languages or internationally?
She provides services in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different communication preferences.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to begin therapy?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a session according to therapist availability.

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

Licensed

California

Languages

English