Dani Marrufo, LMFT therapy for identity & relationships
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, California No. 129955
Queer-affirming therapy for grief, identity, and connection
hello,
I believe that humans are a culmination of many identities and lives that require celebration and care.
I help folks go from yielding to painful emotions and insecurities to actively choosing, knowing, and becoming the most human, empowered version of themselves.
About dani (she/her/ella)
Lead Clinical Supervisor
I am here to help you celebrate all the parts of yourself and begin to live the fully authentic, emboldened life that you desire.
BIPOC and Queer therapist in Highland Park, l.a.
I live at the intersection of queer and Mexican and have felt that fully embracing one identity means grappling with the other. From feeling shame about my curly hair, to fearing the expression of my androgynous presentation, I have come to value and embrace these revered parts of myself. Itruly get the complexities of navigating intersecting identities and want to help you feel empowered to also live your truth.
As a queer woman, I understand the nuances of gender and sexuality and approach identity with a curious and holistic perspective.
My purpose as a therapist is to work collaboratively with you to create a foundation of trust and work at your pace (giving you a push here and there) to help you explore all aspects of your identity.
Together, we can explore the othered, shamed, and oppressed parts of you that need care and tenderness—to begin to more fully integrate and cherish all parts of you. We will consider cultural factors and forms of systemic oppression that contribute to the anxiety, depression, loneliness, or un-belonging that you may be feeling, and work to challenge any internalized stories of marginalization and trauma to help you feel more empowered to advocate for your healing.
ways i can support you include:
grief and loss in its many forms — death, illness, identity shifts, and major life transitions
anticipatory grief, caregiver stress, and navigating serious or chronic illness
relationship stressors, communication challenges, and shifts in connection
LGBTQIA+ affirming care — support for queer identity exploration; working with poly, enm, & expansive relationship structures
navigating identity & culture as a BIPOC, latine, or first-generation individual
building confidence, self-trust, and more fulfilling relationships
therapy for lgbtqia+, bipoc, and nontraditional relationships in los angeles
I am especially passionate about supporting Latine, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ folks, who navigate many intersections of identity and are trying to make sense of who they are and how to they fit into a historically queerphobic world.
I want to help you to liberate your identities and really listen to the needs you may be avoiding or uncomfortable with. I want to help you have pride in who you are and in your existence. Similarly, As a PACT-trained therapist, I am very excited to work with poly, ENM, and queer partners who want to move towards more security in their relationships, communicate effectively and compassionately, and bridge any relevant cultural differences to have increased curiosity and enjoyment in their partnerships.
Therapy doesn’t have to be exchanges of awkward silence and rigid call outs like we see in film. I like to challenge the narratives of what therapy traditionally looks like and dive into creative expression with couples, partners, and individuals who are open to doing so.
Working with fellow creative people, actors, and those looking for creative ways to approach therapy and externalizing feelings is something that I love. Through creatively externalizing the most intimate parts of ourselves, we can come to more deeply understand, care for, and nurture ourselves and our relationships.
Life, and discovering your most genuine self, is a full-on expedition of wandering and roaming into the unknown. Look, while I can’t do the work for you, I love doing the work with you and helping you uncover all of the wonders that are you.
therapy for grief, loss, & life transitions
From what you’ve read about me so far, I hope it comes across that I know—from experience—that life is rarely “Live, Laugh, Love.”
The reality is that life is often in transition. We grieve, and we feel the emptiness that loss can bring.
I’ve spent the majority of my career working with various forms of bereavement and specifically how this intersects with physical health and disability. My work in cancer support settings has prepared me to best support clients who are navigating significant life transitions, life altering diagnoses, caregiver challenges and burnout, and processing the pain and complexity of grief and loss.
This has also made me passionate about supporting fellow spoonies (or folks living with chronic illness/disability.) If you’re looking for a space to feel less alone, learn more about the Chronically Human group I facilitate.
I believe that grief holds not only pain and despair, but also moments of connection, meaning, and even beauty.
I want to help you feel less alone in the heavy moments, and more supported in accessing resilience and joy in the lighter ones.
Whatever comes up, I’m committed to being on this journey with you.
Dani works with clients throughout Northeast Los Angeles, including Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, and nearby neighborhoods such as Pasadena, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake, offering queer-affirming and BIPOC-centered therapy.
career highlights & key trainings
Casting for Recovery Volunteer
Clippers Community Hero Nomination - 2021-2022
M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy from USC Rossier School of Education
Levels 1 : Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy Institute (over 40 hours of live training)
i am…
I am a product of my ancestors and recognize the privilege I hold as I am living their wildest dream—thanks to their fight and persistence!
I am a lesbian, androgynous, Mexican, and anxious. I am an over-thinker, hobby collector, and can often be found wandering the aisles of craft stores. I am someone who has held shame, grief, and loneliness more than I would have liked to and have found comfort in chosen family, my wife, and myself.
I am a lover of people and know that there is goodness in this world—even when it is hard to find. I despise silver linings and feel that avoidance & escapism are great coping skills (when used intentionally).
As a kid, I was a “weirdo” who did her homework at recess, was interested in fly fishing, longed for deep connection, and was fascinated by existentialism—in some ways…I’m still her.
danielle marrufo is a california licensed marriage & family therapist no. 129955
I offer therapy to clients throughout Northeast Los Angeles—including Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, and nearby neighborhoods like Pasadena, Los Feliz, and Silver Lake.
Finding your match with dani
The easiest way to get started is to book a 20-minute complimentary match call.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. Our Care Coordinator, Clarissa, will listen to what you’re looking for and help match you with with the person on our team who is best suited to support you—whether that’s Dani or another therapist.
On the call, you can:
Share what’s been going on and what you’re hoping for
Ask questions and learn more about how we work
Get a feel for whether this feels like the right fit
There’s no pressure to book. If it feels aligned, we’ll move forward at your pace.
Please note: We’re only able to work with clients who are physically located in California at the time of sessions.
Kindman & Co. is located in Highland Park, Los Angeles. All therapists are LGBTQIA2S+ affirming & anti-racist.
We are open 6 days a week for morning, daytime, & evening appointments.
Kindman & Co. is not an appropriate service provider for emergencies. In case of a mental health emergency, please call 1-800-854-7771 or go to the nearest Emergency Room. If you or a loved one is needing urgent support, check out our mental health resources. We do not see walk-ins or provide emergency services on site.
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