About mariana

acceptance and commitment therapy and trauma therapist

“When you connect with things that you deeply care about that lift you up, you’ve just connected yourself into places where you can and have been hurt”

Dr. Steven Hayes

 

There may be so many painful and powerful memories that brought you here, stringing along with them the thoughts and emotions that continue to have a negative toll on your daily life. You disconnect, you zone out, you freeze, you run. You may have asked yourself, “Why can’t I just let all of this go and move on?” People in your life may have asked you the same question.

 

There’s a chance you already tried to take care of the issue yourself. You tried going down so many different avenues to heal and you worked so hard during those processes. I’d like to honor that for a second. Now you’re here, trying a different path.

So, let’s try something new. We’ll travel together.

Now a therapeutic journey can’t start without some degree of trust, I get it!

Hi, My name is Mariana diaz.

Mariana Diaz, AMFT

Mariana Diaz, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist #143913 in California, Supervised by Ah Hyun Lee, LCSW105879

I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (#143913) located in San Diego, CA. I am currently under the supervision of Ah Hyun Lee, Licensed Clinical Social Worker #105879.

I have used a variety of modalities during client sessions, including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Trauma-Informed Therapy. Overall, the time we spend together will be experiential – we will imagine, explore, and process.

Mariana’s treatment approaches in therapy

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

    I utilize goal setting and plan formulation on the client’s terms, as we work together to discover thought processes that hold negative patterns and increase sense of control through guided stress reduction techniques. Together, we can reframe and restructure.

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

    By connecting to your values and aspects of life that you care about, we work together in acceptance of your responses to times you have been hurt or caused pain in these areas. They matter. We can look to moving forward through the hardship and commit to necessary changes.

  • Trauma-Informed

    Trauma isn’t what happens to us, it’s what happens within us. While we may not get control of the narrative, we can take control of recovering the authentic self that is hidden away. We will weave through anxiety, depressive symptoms and the overall emotional disruption that currently impacts your sense of safety.

  • Motivational Interviewing

    I act as a guide and follower through open questions, active listening and overall curiosity while empowering clients to outline their own meaning and capacity to change their lifestyle for the better.

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    We focus on acceptance of fleeting emotions, tolerating stress, regulating intense emotions, and practicing effective communication with others to strengthen relationships while maintaining self-esteem.

I have also utilized Relapse Prevention and Harm Reduction due to experience in working with substance use disorders in an adult and teen outpatient treatment setting (SUD Registered Counselor #16150). I hold intensive training in Motivational Interviewing, Cultural Competency, and Trauma-Informed Care through working in this population.

A strong value I hold in both my professional and personal life is cultural sensitivity, maintaining overall interest in working with BIPOC, AAPI and LGBTQ+ populations. In working with various different identities and sexual orientations, I remain non-judgmental and client-focused when addressing childhood trauma, trauma-based anxiety, stigma, and discrimination. I continue to learn and understand the various ways that trauma shows up for different clients across several cultures.

Acceptance and commitment therapy with a trauma therapist

Even the idea of showing up for your mental health may have been completely out of your comfort zone, perhaps a frightening experience, and I am here to meet you wherever you are at. I maintain curiosity in getting to know my clients and their background while holding myself responsible for respecting and educating myself about each individual client identity. I see myself as both a curious learner and fellow traveler as I normalize your reactions and empathize while you work towards healthy emotional expression and relief, whatever that means for you.

Every session will hold space for you. This is your time. This is your journey.

I am here to walk with you wherever you wish to go.

 

Get started with trauma-focused therapy and trauma counseling, today.

Take the first step toward healing. Schedule a trauma counseling session in San Francisco with our empathetic therapist. Your journey to recovery begins here.