Vanessa Diaz is a Marriage and Family Therapist, independently licensed in Washington State and California. She is a graduate of Mount Saint Mary’s University in Marriage and Family Therapy with a specialization in counseling Spanish-speaking clients.
Why did you become a mental health professional?
Years ago, I really didn't know what I wanted to do outside of finishing college. I thought that a career would just land in my lap so it took a lot of self-exploration during the recession to figure out what I really wanted to do. When people would ask me, "Well what do you want to do?" after I wasn't able to settle into any one career in my 20s, I would frustratingly reply "I just want to help people!" It took me a few more years to realize what that career was and am so glad I found it. I went back to school, completed a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and have not looked back since.
Who might consider you their ideal counselor?
I love working with parents, families and children. I really like working with teens when I have done therapy. That developmental stage of identity formation is such a beautiful and painful part of life. I also enjoy working with neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Another specialization of mine is working with Spanish-speaking communities and clients since I identify as Latina and attended a grad program in California geared towards working with this specific population. In mental health, just having the language is really a miniscule part of providing services to the Latinx/e population, especially being faced with a culture that has stigmatized mental health. A mental health professional needs to be aware and comfortable with cultural considerations for all cultures that they are working with.
How do you nurture your own mental health and wellbeing?
I am obsessed with fiber arts. I started knitting while I was in grad school as a way to pick up a hobby and focus on something other than studying, and really just to be able to sit down for longer than five minutes without compulsively getting up to be "productive". I have now taken my obsession to a new level by learning Tunisian crochet, "regular" crochet, and spinning. Working with my hands, connecting with this ancient and traditional craft, making unique gifts for loved ones, and learning new techniques and sometimes failing brings me joy and a sense of purpose beyond being a mother, therapist, wife, etc.
How should people learn more about your or connect about services?
My email address is amanecertherapy@gmail.com and I am on Instagram as fiberartstherapist. You can also learn more about my practice at the website for my private practice, Amanecer Therapy, and my Psychology Today profile.