Moving patients towards the world they want while living in the world they have

About Me

I am a therapist and facilitator who integrates psychodynamic, relational, and anti-oppressive approaches to support individuals who are in periods of transition, want to break old cycles, and are interested in working toward something new.

I believe that therapy can support patients in deepening their understanding of who they are, what they want, and how to put it into practice. I support patients as they navigate work challenges, anxiety, grief, neurodivergence and other issues. I also have experience supporting parents of young children and neurodivergent children in building their confidence and navigating the individual and systemic issues that are impacting their family relationships.

I received my MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, and my BA in American Studies from Wesleyan University, where my work focused on ethnic, indigenous, and gender studies. I have over a decade of experience in state government helping people navigate complex bureaucracies to access resources. Prior to joining Critical Therapy Institute, I spent 8 years studying healthy and liberatory practices for youth development, with a focus on supporting parents and educators.

My Approach

I utilize a psychodynamic approach, working with patients to understand how early experiences, thoughts, and beliefs influence their behavior. My approach also prioritizes the therapeutic relationship as a site for healing.

I am deeply influenced by critical race theory, which centers the influence of oppressive ideologies and systems on ourselves and our experiences; and the work of third- and fourth-wave feminists, which emphasizes our connections to one another and finding opportunities for liberation within those systems. I am a fat-positive therapist, and center body liberation values in my work.

I am especially interested in helping patients build capacity for the smaller acts that can help them feel more aligned with their values and more engaged in their communities, moving patients towards the world they want while living in the world they have.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started?

Thanks for your interest in working together! The first step is to email me at sdiaz@criticaltherapy.org to set up a free consultation call to help determine if we're a good fit. If you want to move forward after the consultation call, we will schedule a 60-minute intake and then begin meeting weekly.

How much do sessions cost?

I practice as part of Critical Therapy Institute. In order to make access to therapy equitable for all patients, our practice uses a sliding scale based on household income, other resources, and financial obligations. During a consultation call I can take your financial information and provide a rough estimate of your fee.

Do you take insurance?

Currently, I do not accept insurance. I am able to provide superbills for patients who want to submit to their insurance for out of network benefits. If you would like more information on how to determine your out of network benefits, please let me know in your initial email.

Can we meet bi-weekly?

A key part of the beginning phase of therapy is building a relationship. I have found that meeting less than weekly in the first months of therapy can make this difficult, as sessions are often focused on catching up - a lot can happen in two weeks! For this reason, I require that patients meet with me weekly for the first three months. After three months, we can assess how we want to move forward.

Will we meet virtually or in-person?

Currently, I see the majority of my patients virtually. I use a fully encrypted HIPAA-compliant video platform for sessions. I have limited in-person availability at my practice's shared offices in Manhattan and Jackson Heights.

Where are you licensed to practice?

Currently, I am licensed to practice in New York state.

Connect

If you'd like to schedule a consultation call, please fill out your information, including a brief note about why you are interested in working together.