About Tonja S Duvardo , Psy.D.

About


I am a licensed clinical psychologist in Orange County with over 25 years of experience who specializes in treating teens and adults in an inpatient as well as outpatient clinical settings. My work is based on the belief that people want to be happy, effective, and successful in their lives and that they have within themselves the resources and skills necessary to achieve these goals. I believe that psychotherapy can help individuals most effectively use their resources and strengths to increase self-understanding, to improve decision-making, to solve problems, and to create the paths to the lives they want. Throughout my clinical training and professional experience, I have focused on working with diverse populations and have extensive experience working with a variety of presenting issues.

I offer a compassionate therapeutic approach that includes recognized and accepted evidenced based treatments to my patients with a wide range of emotional, behavioral and adjustment problems such as anxiety, depression, stress, thought and mood disorders, relationship issues, self-esteem, peer relationships, coping skills, grief, divorce, codependency, those searching for life meaning and purpose.

I provide Individual, Couples and Family Therapy. In practice, I work from a mindfulness-based perspective, integrating evidence-based interventions and treatments such as: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy and Existential Therapy. I conduct psychological evaluations and assessments as well as provide psychological consultation services.

As a clinical psychologist, I have a great deal of experience in helping clients find value and meaning in their careers. Career counseling is a targeted, solution-focused approach that can help you identify what’s working and what’s not working about your current situation and help to make meaningful change.  I offer both formal career counseling sessions, as well as integrate career counseling into individual psychotherapy sessions, as it is relevant to patients’ needs such at executive coaching, interpersonal issues at work, stress reduction and stress management.

Peer Recommendation.
Here is what other professionals have to say

Dr. Tonja Duvardo is an intelligent, well-trained and intuitive therapist who uses her innate and masterful skills to help her clients with their immediate and long-term goals. She employs her talents for attentive listening and sensitivity to provide compassionate and insightful guidance. Tonja is genuinely kind and communicates in a clear and open manner, thereby building trust in those who seek her assistance. As a friend of more than 20 years, I recommend Dr. Duvardo as a psychotherapy practitioner who reflects the highest professional and ethical standards.

– Jo Ellen Brunner, Ph.D.

I’ve had the distinct honor and pleasure of working with Dr. Tonja Duvardo. She is an excellent and compassionate clinician and one of the most hard working people I know. She was well respected by her peers and clients. I am proud to call her my colleague and friend.

– Michelle R. Ancharoff, Psy.D.

Outstanding clinician and intern supervisor. Excellent clinical and communication skills, adhered to the highest ethical standards and worked well with others as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Served on various Medical Staff Psychology Department committees.”

– Pat Gehr, Ph.D.

Dr. Duvardo is very compassionate with her clients. She is warm and considerate. Dr. Duvardo actively listens to her client’s needs and together works towards her client’s goals. She is sensitive and dedicated to each of her clients.

– Shouh-Rong Vivian Tsai, Psy.D.

It has been my pleasure to know Dr. Tonja Duvardo for over 30 years. She is one of the kindest and most compassionate and intelligent people that I know. Her professional knowledge is extensive and she is well respected by her colleagues. She has an innate ability to maintain compassion and empathy while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. It is a privilege to have Tonja as a colleague and it is an honor to call her (a) my friend.

– Judi Cantor, M.A., LMFT

I highly recommend Dr. Tonja Duvardo as a psychologist who has exceptional integrity and ethics. Her level of compassion and empathy is inspiring. Dr. Duvardo offers many years of experience and skills that will greatly improve the quality of your relationships and life.

– Mary Madrigal, PhD, Phoenix Rising Institute, Inc.

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