- Guilt and shame
- Parenting support
- Gender-affirming care
About Darlene
Darlene Tando is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) licensed in California and Virginia with 25 years of clinical experience. She works with stress, anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, family problems, and LGBT-related issues, and includes guilt and shame among her focus areas.
She draws on long experience supporting people through gender questions, family conflict, and transitions. Her style is direct and human. She uses conversation, practical coping strategies, and sometimes humor to make difficult topics easier to address.
Darlene has worked for many years with transgender and gender nonconforming people and with parents figuring out how to respond to a child’s gender needs. She has co-facilitated professional and parent training on gender affirmation and has written a book aimed at parents who want to offer affirmation.
In sessions she helps people build insight about patterns, practice new ways of handling stress, and develop concrete skills to manage mood and anxiety. She also supports people who are dealing with caregiver stress, body image concerns, family of origin issues, and struggles with forgiveness or self-worth.
Her practice has evolved to include flexible rhythms of care when regular weekly meetings are not possible. People seeking a first session use an online matching process and then schedule an initial appointment that fits their timing and goals.
Therapeutic approaches and online care
She uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques focused on understanding thoughts and behaviors and on building practical coping skills. One approach she uses looks at how thoughts influence feelings and behavior and helps people practice alternative responses to reduce anxiety or shame. Another approach focuses on skills training for mood and stress management, teaching breathing, pacing, and problem-solving methods that are easy to use between sessions.Choosing the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. She works with clients to figure out which methods fit their goals, preferences, and everyday life, and adjusts the approach as needed based on how things are going.
The biography notes teletherapy and messaging support as parts of her practice, but session formats should be confirmed before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and support ongoing reflection through written messages between meetings. These practical benefits help people use therapy while managing work, family, and caregiving responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
25+ years
Listed in
Virginia, California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of issues does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, parenting and family problems, LGBT concerns, and related areas such as body image, caregiver stress, guilt and shame, and sexuality.
How would she approach feelings of guilt or shame?
She uses conversation and practical coping strategies to help people understand the origins of guilt or shame and to practice new ways of responding that reduce their daily impact.
What is her clinical background and experience?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of experience in clinical practice, including long-term work with transgender and gender nonconforming clients and their families.
Where is she licensed and based?
She holds LCSW credentials in California and Virginia and lists California as her location.
Are sessions available in other languages or for international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography describes teletherapy and messaging support; confirm current session options before booking to know the exact formats available.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule the first session through the platform.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger or thinking about harming yourself, use the crisis numbers.