Tania Del Real, MFTA
Clinical Counselor
(Pronouns: she/her/ella )
Contact information
A Bit About Me
Hola hola! I’m grateful you’re here to take the time to get to know me!
I offer services to adolescents 16+ and adults in Spanish, English, and my favorite in Spanglish!
I am a bilingual (Spanish/English), bicultural (Mexican-American), Bi-Queer, cis woman, and the eldest daughter of immigrant parents. I’m originally from Los Angeles, CA, and I’ve spent the last 10+ years living in various parts of Oregon and Washington.
As a first-generation Mexican American, Bi-Queer woman, and eldest daughter, I’ve navigated the complexities of immigration, colonization, erasure, and cultural and gendered expectations like “calladita te ves más bonita,” often at the cost of losing my voice. These experiences have shaped my understanding of resilience and the importance of self-compassion.
I began to find myself again through my nurturance of self, collective healing, and seeking spaces to explore intersectionality, culture, gender studies, and mental health—despite the pushback. I came to see myself as part of a greater liberation movement, resonating with LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC activists, philosophers, and healers, and reconnecting with my ancestors’ unapologetic and resilient selves.
My life mission is to prioritize collective and individual healing by embracing our full selves, reconnecting with our inner knowing, and leaning into our communities.
Outside of therapy, I enjoy reading, cooking, going to concerts, and spending time with my chosen family and fur babies.
I look forward to journeying alongside you on your healing journey!
My approach to therapy is shaped by my own healing process and the privilege of journeying with folx during some of the most difficult times of their lives. I’ve worked with individuals navigating housing and financial instability, involvement with the justice system, migration challenges, grief of loss, illness, violence, and displacement. These experiences have taught me the importance of creating a safe space where you feel comfortable embracing your most honest and vulnerable self.
In our relationship, I value validation, collaboration, and moving at your pace. I believe healing happens when we walk alongside each other through the process, honor where you are and identify where you want therapy to take you. An important part of my role is to highlight the inherent wisdom and strengths you have for healing and to ensure that you’re not alone on this journey.
I often welcome clients to share themselves in many ways—through their art, journal entries, music, and more. Therapy can be as dynamic as we are, and I believe in incorporating what feels meaningful to you into our work together.
The therapeutic journey is one of reconnection—with your inner knowing and your ancestral resilience, wisdom, and joy. My goal is to support you in rediscovering your authentic self and stepping into your most liberated life, both individually and collectively. In our sessions, we integrate your personal healing with the broader goal of community healing, allowing you to thrive in connection with others.
Healing is not linear—it’s a journey that unfolds in connection with others. I firmly believe that individual healing is tied to collective liberation. By recognizing and accepting distress, we can transform it into a powerful force that propels us toward the lives we deserve. My aim is to support clients in navigating this process, helping them find liberation both personally and as part of a larger community.
In sessions, I use mindfulness techniques to help clients connect with how their bodies respond to emotions and identify their wants and needs. We work on using our hearts and bodies as guides, rather than over-intellectualizing experiences, which can create disconnection from the self. The goal is to find what feels restorative and nurturing. I also honor the vulnerability and bravery it takes to seek mental health support. I deeply respect the trust my clients place in me and always center safety and reparative experiences in our work together.
I work from a blend of therapeutic frameworks, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Liberation Psychology, and Relational Cultural Therapy. These approaches help us address not only present challenges but also the deeper, often historical, roots of our experiences. I also draw heavily from attachment theory and overall human development. As I continue to evolve in my practice, I dedicate much of my time to learning anti-colonial healing practices. I’m particularly focused on understanding intergenerational trauma and building upon my knowledge of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and somatic healing methods for treating trauma.
Marriage and Family Therapist Associate License
(MFTAL) (#MG 61579658)
Community Counselor Course – Southern California Counseling Center | Los Angeles, CA
Community Counselor Certificate
University of Southern California (2023)
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
George Fox University (2016)
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Women’s Studies Minor
Young and Healthy – Mindfulness Program | Pasadena, CA
Mental Health Therapist Intern
Los Angeles LGBT Center – Youth Services | Los Angeles, CA
Mental Health Therapist Intern
Washington Early Childhood Intervention | Bellevue, WA
Resource Coordinator
Department of Human Services Child Welfare | Portland, OR
Bilingual Permanency Caseworker / Social Services Specialist I
Areas of Expertise
- Trauma (Acute, Chronic, Complex, and Intergenerational)
- Anxiety and Depression
- Identity Exploration & Development (LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC Focus)
- Relationship Issues (Family, Chosen Family, and Romantic Relationships)
- Gender Based Violence
- Childhood Abuse & Neglect
- Stress Related to Systemic Oppression
- Life Transitions and Adjustment Issues
- Grief and Loss
- Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
- Cultural and Gender Identity Issues
- Acculturation and Immigration-Related Stress
- Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
- Attachment and Emotional Regulation Issues