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As a queer-identified therapist, I’m passionate about creating a space where you can show up fully as yourself and feel deeply und...
About
As a queer-identified therapist, I’m passionate about creating a space where you can show up fully as yourself and feel deeply understood, supported, and empowered to grow.
I am a licensed professional counselor (LPC) with 10 years of experience supporting LGBTQ+ individuals, couples, and relationship systems. I specialize in helping clients navigate anxiety, identity exploration, communication challenges, and complex relationship dynamics. Many of the people I work with are seeking deeper self-understanding, stronger connections, and practical tools to manage emotions and build relationships that feel authentic and secure.
I earned my master’s degree in professional counseling from Carlow University. My approach is warm, collaborative, and affirming. I draw from evidence-based practices, including cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and relational therapy, to help clients better understand patterns, regulate emotions, and communicate more effectively.
Reaching out for support can feel vulnerable, and you deserve a space where you can show up fully as yourself without judgment. Whether you’re exploring identity or navigating relationships, I would be honored to walk alongside you and support meaningful, sustainable change.
Education and training
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As a trauma survivor and care provider, I am deeply invested in my client's feelings of comfort, safety, and choice in the therapy...
As a trauma survivor and care provider, I am deeply invested in my client's feelings of comfort, safety, and choice in the therapy process.
Darby Testa is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Pennsylvania. In her 10 years of direct care and supervisory experience, she has worked to promote social justice for individuals and care systems. Darby has extensive training and experience working with teens, adults, and seniors who are affected by chronic health conditions, sleep, disorders, mood disorders, dysfunctional relationships, and coping. She is open-minded, non-judgmental, and compassionate.
Darby earned her Master's degree from the University of Michigan. She works to support individuals and couples to enhance or develop skills to manage life stressors, mood disruptions, and communication by building on their existing strengths. With a strong background in both mental health and addiction treatment, Darby competently and comfortably treats behavioral health disorders. Treating the person, not just the problem or its symptoms, is critical to long-term success in therapy. Darby seeks to understand you and your world and help you to adapt to its changing demands.
Darby will help you to identify your goals from session one. She understands that any life change has benefits and drawbacks worth exploring and will meet you where you are with readiness and willingness to change, to help make the most impact. Whatever your motivation, Darby is ready to listen. As a trauma survivor and care provider, she is deeply invested in her client's feelings of comfort, safety, and choice in the therapy process.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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My go-to approach for helping people in couples/marriage counseling is to start where they are, meaning what prompted them to come to therapy and what is weighing on them the most. My style is eclectic, so I prefer to adapt my methods to meet the needs of the couple, but I always include education on communication and listening skills.
These are some of the tools or coping skills that I teach in couples counseling:
I know clients are making meaningful progress in couples counseling when they report using skills that they learned in therapy successfully. Anytime someone reports that therapy is helping them feel better, that is progress. When couples incorporate new skills into daily life and feel more connected that is meaningful. Even small positive changes to your perspective and behaviors will have a significant and meaningful impact in your life.
Clients can supplement their time in couples counseling by reading articles or books to increase their knowledge and understanding. When working with couples, I frequently send handouts/worksheets related to their needs. I often make suggestions or send links to articles that are specific to their needs or concerns. If you find information on your own, it is always a good idea to ask your therapist to confirm that the information is accurate, especially for information found on social media or online videos.
To prepare for your first couples/marriage counseling session, you can make a list of questions and/or concerns. During the first session, I need to ask about background information as well as the current issues. Have a list of prior mental health treatments with dates and names if possible. But most of all, be kind to yourself and allow yourself to be open to the idea of exploring the status of the relationship and learning new communication/listening skills.
Thriveworks Couples therapy helps couples work through their specific relationship issues. It is led by licensed professionals — often licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs) — who are experts in their field and best-equipped to help couples. Some examples of common focuses within couples therapy include:
Couples therapy works by helping couples identify and better navigate their unique challenges. Following an initial assessment of the couple in terms of strengths and needs, the therapist would then discuss their therapeutic goals and any possible approaches or ways of working together as therapist and couple.Couples attend sessions together, whether they meet in person or by video. In addition to regular couples therapy sessions, each partner may also be asked to attend a few individual sessions to supplement their progress. This will allow their counselor to get to know each individual better, assess each of their personal needs, and develop the very best treatment plan moving forward.
Couples therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you and your partner.
On average, couples attend couples therapy for 12 weeks. However, couples therapy may last longer or shorter, dependent on the couples’ needs, the challenges they’d like to work through, and the pace of their progress.
Some of the most mentally challenging and emotionally challenging events in our lives involve our partners. In fact, these events often stem from our relationships. For example, experiencing and healing from infidelity, working through financial strain or unemployment, stepping into new roles as parents, or even deciding to separate. During these challenges, a couples therapist or marriage counselor can assist. These professionals are relationship experts—they can equip you with tools and techniques for working through your relationship’s specific challenges. And they can even help guide and support you through divorce or separation.
If you and your partner or spouse are in a particularly challenging stage in your relationship, consider working with a couples therapist or marriage counselor at Thriveworks Pittsburgh, PA. Our relationship experts can provide you with the personalized guidance and support you are looking for. To schedule your couples therapy session, just give our office a call. We’ll be here when you need us.
What do you do when your marriage or long-term relationship no longer feels right? What do you do when you feel sad, confused, resentful, or frustrated with your partner? The first step is to understand that these are normal feelings but if you want to move forward you must break that cycle of negative thinking. Here are five solutions, from Thriveworks Pittsburgh Couples Therapists, to help you work through these relationship issues:
You can’t control what’s already happened in your relationship but you can take steps to control the future. Consult with Thriveworks Pittsburgh couples therapists today to find out how you can get your relationship back to a place you’re proud of.
Couples therapy is a great resource for those who are currently going through a tumultuous time in their relationship. That said, couples therapy is also a great resource and opportunity for those who want to strengthen or improve their relationship. Couples therapy can help all couples.
To schedule your couples therapy appointment at Thriveworks Pittsburgh, simply give our office a call. We’re here to help you, your partner, and your relationship. Keep in mind that we do have flexible appointment options including sessions in the evenings and on the weekends. We look forward to hearing from you!
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