Danielle DeSalvo, BA (she/her)
Relationship and Sexuality Clinical Intern

Click here to download Danielle’s digital business card

What do those letters mean?
BA: Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from the University of Portland, 2018

For a full list of credentials, education, professional affiliations, trainings, etc, please see my Curriculum Vitae.

Hi. I’m Danielle.
It’s a pleasure to meet you.

I currently see clients online and in-person in our west Greeley office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and in our Fort Collins office on Mondays starting at noon. I am currently taking on new clients and can generally accommodate new intakes within a week.

The Basics

I am a relationship and sexuality clinical intern here at Pivotal Counseling. I’m currently earning my master’s degree in marriage, couples, and family therapy at the University of Northern Colorado. I’m from the Chicago suburbs and moved to Portland, Oregon while I completed my bachelor’s degree.

I have been in Fort Collins for about six years now and am so grateful to be here and close to the mountains. I love yoga, hiking, drawing/painting, live music, and spending time with my partner, friends, and family.

    • As a clinician: compassionate, understanding, affirming

    • My counseling style: warm, genuine, collaborative

    • My goals for my clients: empowerment, healing, growth

  • With Couples and Relationships

    • Emotional Distance/Disconnection

    • Communication Breakdowns

    • Negative Communication Patterns

    • LGBTQ+/Queer Relationships

    • Power, Roles, and Expectations

    • Infidelity and Breaches of Trust

    With Sexuality (Individual and Relational)

    • Differences in Levels of Desire (Libido)

    • LGBTQ+/Queer Identity Exploration

    • Sexual Exploration and Discovery

    • Pleasure Enrichment

    • Kink/BDSM

    • Non-Traditional Relationships

    1. You deserve space to be your most authentic self.

      Each person has essential needs to connect with others, explore their sense of self, and understand their emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal reactions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy; you are unique, and I will meet you where you are at. People thrive when they are seen, heard, and understood, and I am here to ensure you have this opportunity, free of judgment. You are encouraged to show up just as you are.

    2. Your emotions are natural and valid.

      Feelings are a part of the human experience. This does not mean you may like all of the feelings you experience – oftentimes, one may feel shame, guilt, or fear in response to certain emotions. When you begin noticing and exploring your feelings, they may not have as strong of a hold over you. It’s also not uncommon to feel out of touch with your emotions and I am here to provide guidance in making those connections.

    3. Change may not be easy but it is possible.

      I believe that you have the capacity to change as much as you are willing. I also believe that change can be intimidating and scary, and making real change is one of the most challenging things we do. There is no right way to go through life – only your way. I am here to help you embrace uncertainty and explore new ways of being, and provide support if you feel lost in the process.

  • I’m so glad you’re here! Let me tell you a little bit about my story.

    I always knew I wanted to be in the helping field and became fascinated with the field of psychology at a relatively early age. I went into my undergraduate studies with the goal of becoming an art therapist – studying psychology, sociology, and the fine arts. To my pleasant surprise, I had the opportunity to take classes like Human Sexuality and Perspectives on Gender and the Body and was captivated by the way we dispelled myths and explored societal messages, giving me the chance to rewrite some of my own beliefs. This fueled my desire to dive into the relationship and sexuality field.

    At the same time, I found myself working for local nonprofits and gained such fulfillment in advocating for and connecting with members of my community. After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I spent some time in the professional field before I went back to graduate school and worked mostly in social work roles.

    For years, I served youth and adults with diverse backgrounds and identities, and particularly enjoyed working with couples and families, as I learned how deeply important it is to take a systems perspective. I chose to study marriage, couples, and family therapy with this in mind, and I love that I have the chance to combine my passion for creativity with relationship and sex therapy. My love for the arts –drawing, painting, anything crafty – filters into my therapeutic approach as I believe it’s important to encourage forms of expression that can reach beyond words. I have been able to personally experience and witness the incredible impacts of therapy. My hope is that you find peace and empowerment as you heal, and I’m so excited to get the chance to hear your story.