Dr. Angela Vigna

Hi! I'm Dr. Angela Vigna, a clinical psychologist licensed in California and Texas and certified by PSYPACT. I have an M.A. in counseling from Boston College and a Psy.D. in clinical psychology from Argosy University. For the last 11 years, I have specialized in comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adults and adolescents who experience emotion dysregulation with suicidal and self-harming behavior. I'm intensively trained in traditional DBT, Radically Open DBT (RO-DBT), and DBT-Prolonged Exposure (trauma). I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Schema Therapy into the treatment I provide. The most common mental health disorders I treat are borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive disorders, and anxiety disorders.

My style as a therapist involves a nonjudgmental understanding of each client’s unique experience, coupled with guidance in learning and integrating tangible life skills necessary for controlling emotions and behavior, maintaining healthy relationships, and developing an authentic self-identity; all within the context of an overall quest to help clients develop a life that they feel and believe is worth living. I view the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative partnership rather than one in which I simply provide treatment. It is important to me that together, my clients and I work as a team to identify, pursue, and achieve their treatment goals.

As many of my clients are in crisis and suffering when they begin treatment with me, the first session begins with an assessment and planning for safety, validation of their experience, and efforts to engender hopefulness that attaining stability and relief is a realistic possibility. During the first session, I also assess mental health symptoms, unwanted behaviors, and goals so that I can determine the treatment plan that would be most beneficial for the client.