Darlene Tando

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice where I offer therapy with adult individuals, couples, family, and play therapy for children. I also offer teletherapy (video therapy sessions). I earned my Bachelors Degree in Psychology at the University of California at Santa Barbara and my Masters in Social Work at San Diego State University. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH).

I specialize in gender-affirming therapy, supporting an informed consent approach that supports one's own free will when it comes to understanding their gender identity and what they need in order to feel most aligned. I work with children, adolescents, and adults. I find that my warm and empathic approach that works so well with children also helps to create a safe, therapeutic environment for adults which promotes progress in therapy.

I believe the most important part of therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. I help my clients feel safe, validated, and understood, and I work to empower them to find the best ways to cope with situations or transitions they are facing in their lives. Laughter is healing and can be a wonderful release, so humor is peppered into sessions whenever appropriate.