Zoya Diaz, LMSW

So much of who we are is shaped by the relationships, environments, losses, expectations, and survival strategies we have moved through. Sometimes we arrive at therapy feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, stuck in old patterns, or unsure how to come back to ourselves. I believe therapy can offer a space to slow down, listen inward, and begin making sense of the ways our nervous systems, relationships, and life experiences have shaped how we cope, protect ourselves, and connect with others.

My approach is collaborative, trauma-informed, and deeply rooted in curiosity, compassion, and respect for each person’s resilience. I do not view therapy as a place where you are reduced to a diagnosis or expected to “fix” yourself. Instead, I see it as a relationship where we can explore your story with care, understand the patterns that may have once protected you, and create space for healing, self-compassion, and meaningful change.

I am a Licensed Master Social Worker with clinical experience across acute psychiatric, hospice, palliative care, public health, and community-based settings. My work has included individual and group psychotherapy, crisis intervention, safety planning, care coordination, and trauma-informed treatment with individuals navigating complex emotional and life circumstances. My clinical background has given me a deep respect for the ways people survive, adapt, and continue seeking connection even in the midst of pain, uncertainty, illness, transition, or crisis.

I work with adults and older adults experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, relational difficulties, life transitions, grief, chronic illness, chronic pain, substance use concerns, and the emotional impact of growing up in complicated family systems. 

In our work together, I may draw from somatic and mindfulness-based practices, psychodynamic exploration, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Internal Family Systems-informed work, Motivational Interviewing, and many other trauma-focused interventions. More importantly, I tailor therapy to the person in front of me. Some sessions may focus on insight and reflection; others may involve grounding skills, nervous system regulation, grief work, relational patterns, boundaries, self-compassion, or practical coping strategies. My goal is to help you better understand yourself while also building tools that support your daily life.

I also understand how meaningful it can be to know a bit about the person sitting across from you. Outside of my clinical work, I find joy and grounding in cooking, surfing, hiking, reading, travel, and spending time with my family, my dog Cleo, and my partner. These parts of my life remind me of the importance of presence, movement, nourishment, play, and connection; all things that can become harder to access when we are overwhelmed or in pain.

Living with chronic and autoimmune illness has also shaped my understanding of what it means to inhabit a body that may need extra care, patience, adaptation, and compassion. While each person’s experience is unique, I bring sensitivity to the emotional complexity of chronic illness, including grief, frustration, uncertainty, identity shifts, medical trauma, and the pressure to appear “fine” when life feels anything but. I believe therapy can be a space where these experiences are taken seriously and met with tenderness rather than minimization.

At the heart of my work is the belief that healing begins when we feel understood rather than judged. Therapy can help us reconnect with parts of ourselves that have been silenced, burdened, or pushed aside. It can help us build a more compassionate relationship with our emotions, our bodies, our histories, and the people we love. My hope is to offer a space where you can feel safe enough to be honest, supported enough to grow, and empowered enough to move toward a life that feels more aligned with your goals and aspirations. 

Taking the first step toward therapy is an act of courage and self-respect. If you feel that we may be a good fit, I would be honored to connect with you.