LaDonna Silva (she/her), LMFT
LaDonna Silva, LMFT is Process Therapist, an IFS Approved Clinical Consultant, a Level 3 Certified IFS Therapist and a member of the Somatic IFS Staff. She has been seeing clients for over 18 years and has proudly been on her own healing journey for the last 34 years. In recent years she has focused on bridging her background in Somatic and Transpersonal Psychology with Process Therapy and the IFS/Somatic IFS model. She specializes in trauma, sexual abuse/assault, grief, couples work, group work and working with the LGBTQI+ community.
LaDonna loves practicing the Art of Being and Doing in the therapeutic setting. She invites her clients to return to their own natural state of balance and well-being, all the while holding a compassionate and non-pathologizing place for those internal systems that need attention and loving care. She incorporates diverse modalities, like movement, music, somatic process, play and curiosity, to discover and address what shows up in the room.
LaDonna has served on many local boards as a community leader, and she has held faculty positions at John F. Kennedy University, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology/Sofia University, and Santa Clara University. She assisted many senior IFS trainers before joining the staff with Susan McConnell.
Prior to her career in psychology, LaDonna advocated for survivors of sexual abuse, speaking to the California legislature and sharing her own story on an MTV special and as a guest on Oprah about the pain of unspoken sexual abuse within families.
LaDonna has a passion for living life consciously and for inviting others to be curious and ultimately guided by their own discovery of Self. She also encourages and supports therapists to explore their own internal journeys, so they can truly be present with others.
LaDonna enjoys music, movement, travel, soccer, pickle-ball, yoga, Buddhism, a good workout, exploring nature, and time with friends and family, including her wife of 18 years, her adult daughter, step-daughter, two grandchildren, and her fur family.
More about LaDonna...
I have a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, Holistic Studies from John F. Kennedy University. This special degree combined Transpersonal and Somatic Psychology which is a unique focus on spirituality and the body which gives me a foundation to work with clients beyond just the cognitive realm.
I spent six years training at the Process Therapy Institute where I was the Administrative Director, a Certified Process Therapist and Certified Instructor. I've spent the last several years studying the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and now a Certified IFS Therapist and Clinical Consultant. I'm currently Staff with Susan McConnell who is a Somatic Master IFS (Internal Family Systems) trainer. You can find more information about Susan's work and the Somatic IFS model at embodiedself.net
I offer on-going consultation groups for therapists desiring to learn more about returning to their own systems and how to stay open and curious while working with clients. If you are a therapist/practitioner and interested in learning more, please see the Services page.
Over the years, I've spent time serving on many local boards including Santa Clara Valley CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists), the YWCA ~ Silicon Valley and the Process Therapy Institute (processes.org). I also belong to several associations including state CAMFT and Gaylesta. I'm currently teaching at Santa Clara University and have taught graduate students at Sofia University/Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and John F. Kennedy University. I've volunteered for the Centre for Living with Dying, and occasionally still offer response services for critical incidents in the Bay Area. Being an Activist and a part of the greater community has always been an important part of my life.
Both agencies (YWCA ~ Silicon Valley and the Process Therapy Institute) are great places for lower fee therapy services.
I discovered my love for the Art of Therapy over 34 years ago while in my own therapy. After a career in the Corporate world in Management, Sales and Human Resources, I decided to follow my heart back into the therapy setting and build my career where I truly belong. I've continued my own journey of healing and truly feel passionate about my intention for living life consciously and expanding while inviting others to grow and heal as well.
These videos below are a chance for you to see me sharing why I've chosen this profession.
Here's are links to a few recent (and not so recent) interviews....
LaDonna loves practicing the Art of Being and Doing in the therapeutic setting. She invites her clients to return to their own natural state of balance and well-being, all the while holding a compassionate and non-pathologizing place for those internal systems that need attention and loving care. She incorporates diverse modalities, like movement, music, somatic process, play and curiosity, to discover and address what shows up in the room.
LaDonna has served on many local boards as a community leader, and she has held faculty positions at John F. Kennedy University, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology/Sofia University, and Santa Clara University. She assisted many senior IFS trainers before joining the staff with Susan McConnell.
Prior to her career in psychology, LaDonna advocated for survivors of sexual abuse, speaking to the California legislature and sharing her own story on an MTV special and as a guest on Oprah about the pain of unspoken sexual abuse within families.
LaDonna has a passion for living life consciously and for inviting others to be curious and ultimately guided by their own discovery of Self. She also encourages and supports therapists to explore their own internal journeys, so they can truly be present with others.
LaDonna enjoys music, movement, travel, soccer, pickle-ball, yoga, Buddhism, a good workout, exploring nature, and time with friends and family, including her wife of 18 years, her adult daughter, step-daughter, two grandchildren, and her fur family.
More about LaDonna...
I have a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology, Holistic Studies from John F. Kennedy University. This special degree combined Transpersonal and Somatic Psychology which is a unique focus on spirituality and the body which gives me a foundation to work with clients beyond just the cognitive realm.
I spent six years training at the Process Therapy Institute where I was the Administrative Director, a Certified Process Therapist and Certified Instructor. I've spent the last several years studying the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model and now a Certified IFS Therapist and Clinical Consultant. I'm currently Staff with Susan McConnell who is a Somatic Master IFS (Internal Family Systems) trainer. You can find more information about Susan's work and the Somatic IFS model at embodiedself.net
I offer on-going consultation groups for therapists desiring to learn more about returning to their own systems and how to stay open and curious while working with clients. If you are a therapist/practitioner and interested in learning more, please see the Services page.
Over the years, I've spent time serving on many local boards including Santa Clara Valley CAMFT (California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists), the YWCA ~ Silicon Valley and the Process Therapy Institute (processes.org). I also belong to several associations including state CAMFT and Gaylesta. I'm currently teaching at Santa Clara University and have taught graduate students at Sofia University/Institute of Transpersonal Psychology and John F. Kennedy University. I've volunteered for the Centre for Living with Dying, and occasionally still offer response services for critical incidents in the Bay Area. Being an Activist and a part of the greater community has always been an important part of my life.
Both agencies (YWCA ~ Silicon Valley and the Process Therapy Institute) are great places for lower fee therapy services.
I discovered my love for the Art of Therapy over 34 years ago while in my own therapy. After a career in the Corporate world in Management, Sales and Human Resources, I decided to follow my heart back into the therapy setting and build my career where I truly belong. I've continued my own journey of healing and truly feel passionate about my intention for living life consciously and expanding while inviting others to grow and heal as well.
These videos below are a chance for you to see me sharing why I've chosen this profession.
Here's are links to a few recent (and not so recent) interviews....
