Dr. Villena-Mata has worked
in the field of trauma in various capacities.
Since 1986, she has worked in direct services
in the areas of child abuse and domestic violence.
Later she worked with victims and survivors
of torture and rape due to societal traumas
(U.S. and international). She has been on boards
of directors and committees for various organizations
and agencies, dealing with conflict resolution;
health; refugee work; HIV/AIDS; and juvenile
delinquency.
Later, Villena-Mata saw similarities between
recipients of “isms” with adult
children of childhood abuse. As there was no
existing research in this area, Darling went
to school to find out more. The result was her
dissertation, which has since been translated
into a layperson’s version, accessible
to clinicians, trainers, academicians, and clients
alike.
Since its publication, Walking Between Winds:
A Passage Through Societal Trauma - Discrimination's
Impact on Love, Safety, Health, and Conflict,
the book has been used in a variety of ways.
Examples of book use: First Nations (Navaho,
Mountain Ute in the U.S.; Kwanlin Dunn, Yukon
Territory) and nongovernmental organizations,
such as Global Peace Hut in their training of
their providers and clientele of displaced and
refugees from Uganda, Rwanda, and Sudan. Book
has been and is being used academically as well
as clinically and individually in the United
States. It provides models and approaches to
healing and recovering from current societal
traumas.
In terms of degrees, Darling holds a Ph.D.
in Social Psychology with concentration in Trauma
and Conflict Studies from The Union Institute
and University; M.A. in Clinical Psychology,
focus on Marriage, Family, Children Counseling
from Antioch University and a B.A. in Sociology
from UCLA. She is also a certified hypnotherapist
and is certified by the National Guild of Hypnotists
(NGH). As a hypnotist and traumatologist, Villena-Mata
is asked by services providers to assist them
with clients dealing with psychological traumas.
This particular part of her practice is by referral
only.
Dr. Villena-Mata is also a former editor to
Nonviolent Change Journal. She has also written
on such topics as the ramifications of societal
trauma on recipients; development of safety
and trust; and impact of grief on identity formation.
She is an assistant professor of psychology
at the Woodbridge campus, Northern Virginia
Community College as well as a member of their
Global Affairs Committee. She holds a consultation
and training practice in Northern Virginia.
Dr. Darling Villena-Mata may be reached
at 703.339.8871 or by email: dvillenamata@nvcc.edu
