Dr. Darlene Viggiano , LMFT

Dr. Darlene Viggiano is a Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. She earned her PhD in Psychology from Saybrook University in 2010 after completing a Master’s in Psychology at National University in 1995, and she has maintained a professional license since 1999.

Throughout her career Dr. Viggiano has worked in a range of clinical settings, including roles as an Intensive Outpatient Program clinician, case manager, and clinical lead supervisor. She has trained paraprofessionals and students in therapeutic methods for addressing abuse, addiction, and other complex clinical concerns, and has led interventions for diverse presentations such as adults molested as children, dual diagnosis, infidelity, and perinatal substance abuse.

Her practice has included facilitation of batterers’ intervention, anger management, couples communication, hypnosis, and mindful movement. Dr. Viggiano holds certification in Clinical Hypnosis from the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and earned early-career certification in the Duluth Model for batterers’ intervention. She is the author of two academic books - Dreams and Dream-like Experiences: Their role in spiritual emergence processes, and Carrying On: A workbook for women who’ve lost a pregnancy.

Dr. Viggiano is a member of the American Society for Clinical Hypnosis and the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She has also been affiliated with the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis and the American Psychological Association Division 30 (Hypnosis), where she received an Early Career Contribution Award.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Dr. Viggiano uses Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early relational patterns influence current connections and emotional responses; this approach can be helpful for couples, family difficulties, and intimacy-related concerns. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) focuses on identifying and reshaping emotional interactions within relationships, making it a strong fit for couples work and repairing attachment ruptures. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps clients identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, and is often applied to anxiety, depression, stress, and coping skills.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dr. Viggiano works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods align with their goals, history, and preferences, and she adapts interventions as progress unfolds so the work remains individualized and practical.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how therapy occurs - through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging - which can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life and maintain continuity of care. These options allow licensed professionals and therapists to support clients across time zones and schedules while focusing on consistent, goal-oriented clinical work.