"You can't calm the storm...calm yourself, the storm will pass"-Hawkeye
I enjoy working with adults in individual therapy online. I focus on helping clients manage reactions that accompany life stressors, and that can become overwhelming. I specialize in working with people struggling with excessive worry and perfectionism, those who feel as though they are "never good enough" and high achievers. I also have expertise working with those navigating between cultures, with women's issues, and with all types of diversity.
I also specialize in providing therapy for therapists, as well as consultation. I have supervised and consulted with therapists of different backgrounds and at different levels, for many years, including 9 years of training clinicians at the Counseling and Health Center at the University of Texas, and in my private practice, I have had the honor to conduct therapy for LPC's, Social Worker, Psychiatrists and Psychologists. I very much enjoy this work.
How I work
I like to work collaboratively, and enjoy guiding and supporting those who are on a journey to improve themselves in their personal and professional lives. This includes supporting and respecting clients' intuitive knowledge of themselves.
My approach to therapy is client centered and relational, I believe in my clients' capacity to become their best selves and I feel honored to be a part of their journey. I emphasize creating a safe emotional space and believe in a relationship of mutual respect. I am transparent, and maintain a balance between empathic listening and active feedback.
Experience and Training
Over 25 years of experience and training in a variety of approaches to therapy allow me to match the therapy I provide to each client's needs. I have had extensive training in psychology, starting with a Bachelors degree in Psychology from Stanford University, a Master's and a Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University, and an internship from The University of Texas at Austin. I have worked at a community mental health clinic, an anxiety treatment center and at The University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center. I have been in private practice in Austin since 2007. During this time I have been trained on many approaches including psychodynamic, CBT, relational and AEDP, attaining Level II certification. I am an integrative therapist incorporating these approaches as they best fit my clients' needs.
Margarita Leonor Diaz, Ph.D.
Clinical Psychologist