Dr. Manny Diaz, PhD, AMFT (He/Him/Él)
Staff Therapist
Dr. Manny Diaz (he/him/his/él) is a gay Latino male therapist and educator based in California. As a native of East Los Angeles, he is aware of the sociocultural influences impacting the mental health of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals and communities. Having graduated and received training from the Modern Sex Therapy Institute, he is focused on reducing barriers and improving access to psychotherapy services and care, including, but not limited to, services in Spanish, advocacy, and psychoeducation for marginalized communities using cultural humility and sensitivity with clients.
Manny’s role as a college professor also allows him to put theory into practice. His clinical work is grounded in anti-oppressive and anti-racist frameworks supported by interdisciplinary and intersectional fields, such as cultural, ethnic, feminist, gender, sexuality, Latinx, and queer studies. He is passionate about helping clients explore topics of sex, gender, sexuality, and alternative relationship structures, as well as the intersections of racial trauma and social injustice.
Pulling from his lived experiences, his goal is to engage clients in meaning-making and redefining the concept of queerness to challenge conventional ways of existing and thinking. Manny promotes autonomy, empowerment, and liberation from systemic injustices by encouraging clients to protect their time, heart, and energy (THE). His work is collaborative, often using alternative modalities, such as Bibliotherapy, Cinematherapy, and Scriptotherapy to assist clients in developing counterstories, cuentos, and testimonios that encourage emotional and psychological healing. His main priority is to provide clients with an affirming, brave, and safe space to explore their presenting concerns, social identities, and relationships.
Manny practices therapy in California and coaching anywhere.