Darlene Clark, LCSW

Darlene Clark is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Virginia with nine years of experience in the mental health field. As a Certified Trauma-Informed Care Practitioner, she brings focused expertise in supporting people through trauma and abuse, anxiety, parenting challenges, and significant life transitions. Her background also includes extensive work with individuals living with serious mental illness, helping them build practical coping skills and daily stability.

Darlene emphasizes a respectful, compassionate, and open approach to therapy. She aims to provide a calm, non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. Therapy is framed as a collaborative process in which the client sets priorities and Darlene offers guidance and evidence-informed strategies to strengthen self-esteem, confidence, and resilience. Her style is described as casual and down-to-earth, which many people find makes the work feel more approachable and manageable.

Outside of her clinical work, Darlene enjoys spending time with family, relaxing at the beach, gardening, camping, and experimenting with new vegan recipes in the kitchen.

Approaches Darlene Uses for Online Therapy

Darlene integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors - an approach often used for anxiety, stress, and changing everyday coping strategies. She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for clients who need practical tools to manage intense feelings and relationship challenges. Trauma-Focused Therapy is another central element of her work, offering structured methods to process and recover from traumatic experiences while building safety and stabilization.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey, and Darlene works collaboratively with each person to determine what methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She adapts techniques over time so treatment stays relevant and effective for the individual.

Online therapy with Darlene is delivered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access consistent care from licensed professionals without rearranging daily life, supporting progress even when in-person visits are not practical.