Daniele Svingos, LCSW

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Phonetic pronunciation of name: “DAN-KNEE”

Role at Evergreen: Clinician

As a relational clinician, I work hard to authentically partner with my clients on their journeys. My goal is to understand what brought you into the office on any given day and then to provide tools and support to help with those areas. I specialize in neurodiversity, autism, executive function, self-regulation, trauma, anxiety, depression, learning differences, technology dependency, and interpersonal skills. I help people who feel overwhelmed, unheard, worried, and alone to find a true sense of self, mastery, compassion, and confidence. I use a client-centered, strength-based, culturally responsive, empowerment model for my clinical work. I received my BA from UCSC (go banana slugs!) in Community Studies and my Master’s in Social Welfare from the University of Chicago where I was also employed at the University of Chicago Hospital’s Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.

Dani | Evergreen Counseling

Clinical modalities used with clients

Therapy services location

Hybrid. Offering both in-person sessions in our Berkeley offices and remote telehealth sessions for clients all over California.

Clinical Style

Client-centered, strength-based, culturally responsive, and solution-focused.

License

Licensed Clinical Social Worker #268-40

Degrees

The University of California Santa Cruz | BA in Community Studies | 1991

The University of Chicago | MA in Social Welfare | 1997

Advanced Trainings

Tech Addiction & Digital Health in Children, Adolescents & Young Adults: Level 1 Certification | Dr. Nicholas Kardaras/PESI | 08/2022

Legal and Ethical Aspects of Telehealth for California LCSWs | NASW | 05/2022

Verbal Intervention and Nonviolent Crisis Interventions Training

Crisis Prevention Institute | 10/2021

DSM-5© Differential Diagnosis for Clients with a History of Trauma/Accurate Diagnosis | Dr. Margaret Bloom/PESI | 08/2022

Intensive 18-month Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Certification Program | The Linehan Institute | 2018

Intensive Attachment, Regulation, and Competency training and certification | ARC | 2017

Why I do this work

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has been working with adolescents, young adults, parents, and families in the east bay for over 20 years. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found my calling so many years ago and continue to find joy, curiosity, and compassion every day in my clinical practice. While the breadth of my experience has been diverse and far-reaching, I always circle back to lean on the foundational principles of trauma-informed care. For the last few years, the focus of my clinical work has been on supporting neurodiverse young adults as they transition to independence. Prior to this work, I was employed at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland for 15 years. I began there in the Community Outreach and Support Program (CORE) where I provided home-based, long-term therapy for high-needs youth and their families. I moved on to help create and implement the Behavioral Health Integration program for the Primary Care Department. I have also dedicated much of my personal and professional life to addressing issues of social and racial injustice and was a founding member of the hospital’s Taskforce for Cultural Accountability and Responsiveness. More recently, I became certified in diagnosing and treating technology dependence.

The best part of my job

The best part of my job is partnering with individuals and families on their journeys to health and empowerment. I think of myself as a helper and a connector. I love to learn from and with my clients, witness skill acquisition, provide space for validation and healing, help others find joy and meaning in their lives, and to use the therapeutic relationship to create opportunities for growth.

How I spend my free time

I am an avid home chef with a massive collection of cookbooks from all around the world. I love to cook for a crowd and look for inspiration at local farmers' markets and in my own organic backyard garden. I will literally turn anything into a pickle. I am also a crafter and am always in the middle of many projects ranging from knitting to embroidery, to shibori dying. My favorite place in the world is the beach where I like to watch my partner and kids surf from the safety of the shore. I am also a proud owner of two wheaten terriers - Pickles and Louie - who provide endless love and silliness.

Favorite quote

“Whatever you choose to do, leave tracks. That means don’t do it just for yourself. You will want to leave the world a little better for your having lived.” Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Top personal growth resources

  • Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome by Joy DeGruy, PhD
  • Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn
  • When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold Kushner
  • Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
  • The Mindful Self Compassion Workbook by Christopher Germer, Ph.D. and Kristin Neff, PhD
  • The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD

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