Darla Cozzarelli
Hi, I'm Darla, a licensed therapist who works with adults navigating anxiety, depression, life transitions, and relationship challenges. My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and insight-oriented, blending practical tools with deeper exploration of patterns.
One of my greatest strengths is building strong, authentic therapeutic relationships while balancing depth with practicality.
I create a grounded, supportive space where you can gain clarity, better understand your emotional responses, and move toward sustainable change. Outside of my practice, you can usually find me with my friends and family out on a hike, the beach or spending time with my dogs, which helps keep me grounded and connected to the human side of this work.
First session
We will focus on understanding what brings you to therapy and what you hope to gain from our work together. I will ask thoughtful questions about your history, current stressors, and strengths to get a holistic picture of where you are. We will also discuss goals and make sure we feel like a good clinical fit. You can expect a calm, collaborative, and supportive environment with plenty of space for openness, humor, and curiosity at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths is building strong, authentic therapeutic relationships while balancing emotional depth with practical tools. My background in community mental health shaped a steady, grounded presence, whether we are navigating heavy conversations or untangling everyday stress. I help clients connect patterns from their past to present reactions while offering concrete strategies for managing anxiety, improving communication, and strengthening boundaries.
Ideal clients
I work best with individuals who are thoughtful and self-aware but feel stuck in cycles of stress, anxiety, low mood, or recurring relationship patterns that they are ready to change. They often seek support navigating day-to-day challenges, developing emotional resilience, learning practical coping skills, and cultivating more balanced, healthy ways of relating to themselves and to others in their lives.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use cognitive behavioral therapy to help clients identify patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that contribute to distress. In practice, I support clients in developing more balanced thinking patterns and practical coping strategies while applying these tools to real-life situations between sessions.
Motivational Interviewing
I use motivational interviewing to help clients explore ambivalence and strengthen intrinsic motivation for change. This approach is especially helpful when clients feel stuck or uncertain about next steps. I emphasize collaboration, autonomy, and clarity to support sustainable behavioral change.
Psychodynamic
My psychodynamic approach focuses on understanding how early experiences and relational patterns shape current emotions and behaviors. I help clients explore recurring themes, attachment dynamics, and internal conflicts to build deeper self-awareness and more intentional ways of responding.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Top specialties
Other specialties
Serves
Doesn't specialize in
Licensed in
- CaliforniaLicense 127660