I love supporting my clients in finding their uniqueness, confidence, happiness and fulfillment.

Diana Michelena, LMHC, Trauma and self-esteem therapist for teens and adults In NY

Ready to heal, connect, and feel confident in your own skin?

I’m Diana and I help teens and adults just like you: ones that have it within them to work through their pain, heal, and reconnect with themselves and others, but just need the support to get there.

I help my clients grow more compassionate toward themselves. I help them process difficult life experiences in a safe and non-judgmental space so they can move forward and know that they cannot only bounce back from, but even grow from life’s challenges.

Together, we’ll identify the difficult experiences that are causing you to feel like you’re doing life “wrong”. Through our work together, you’ll be equipped with the skills and confidence you need to thrive in your life and relationships with yourself and others. And you’ll know that even if life gets tough, you have the ability to bounce back.

What it’s like to work with me

My approach to therapy is focused on empowerment, autonomy and self-discovery, which means I am interested in helping you understand yourself better, and discover the abilities within yourself to cope with the difficulties of life. I work toward helping you feel empowered, confident and connected in your life. I want to support you in discovering your strengths and learning to act them out in a way to speaks to your unique values, identity and goals.

I believe a safe relationship can be truly transformative for anyone and I am committed to building rapport and creating safety throughout our work together. My commitment is to show up in a real, authentic, and curious manner, to learn about you, you values and uniqueness and empower you to do the same. We will prioritize your feelings and thoughts (nothing is off limits), we will explore coping skills to manage your emotions, examine the way you interact with others, and look at past experiences to get closer to the root of your concerns. This is a journey for both of us, and as we are navigating it together, I want you to know you are seen and not alone any more.  

MY GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Compassion.

I will make my utmost effort to see your side and encourage you to silence your inner self critic.

Safety.

Committed to making every effort to build together with you a nonjudgmental, authentic and free therapy room.

Honesty.

Being direct with you, even when it’s uncomfortable and providing full transparency in our relationship.

Authenticity.

Fostering a genuine, non stuffy relationship with you in which no word or topic is off limits.

Play.

I use many expressive techniques, play being one of my favorite ways to get to know you.

Examination.

I will encourage you to examine together your words, postures, beliefs and patterns that are preventing change.

TRAINING & EDUCATION

I engage in ongoing education & training to best support you, as well as a commitment to my personal growth as a woman, therapist and human.

  • Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research

    Training in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy - present

    The City College of New York

    MA in Mental Health Counseling - 2018

    University of Bucharest, Romania

    MA in Psychotherapy - 2012

    West University, Timisoara, Romania

    BA in Psychology - 2010

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor

    License number 010474

  • Psychodynamic Therapy

    Cognitive Behavior Theory (CBT)

    Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

    Mindfulness Based CBT

    Systemic Family Therapy