About Diego
My Experience: I began my career in intensive settings, counseling children and adults struggling with complex trauma, PTSD, depression, anxiety, self-harm, and suicidality. This experience taught me how to approach trauma reprocessing while honoring the human dimension of my clients, their suffering, and the significance of a healing relationship.
Today, I bring this background to individuals and couples in my private practice. I work with clients wherever they are in life. Some of my clients struggle to get through the day because they are overwhelmed by emotion, paralyzed by anxiety, or hollowed out by depression. Others have achieved high degrees of success in their outer lives—or learned to act as if everything is fine—but know that there must be more to life, or feel that something deep is wrong.
Whatever you’re going through, my first job is to meet you where you are and listen. My approach is deeply relational, experiential, and present-focused.
More About Me: What I value most about myself are the relationships I’ve built and how I treat the people in them. I strive to be a supportive brother to my five siblings, a dependable friend, a loving husband, and a caring therapist to each of my clients.
This is the attitude I bring into our work together. Our relationship is in the service of real, lasting change. It will grow through collaboration based on trust and safety. Early in our work, I often ask: “How will you know that you received what you came for?” We will revisit that question until, one day, we both feel we have arrived.
Outside of my counseling practice, I’m a piano player, reader, gardener, and animal lover. Admittedly, my wife and I adopt far too many stray cats, but neither of us has the heart to stop bringing them home.
What Other Therapists Say About Diego
“If I were looking for a therapist, I’d choose Diego for myself. He’s a lovely person who takes his work seriously and is guided by deep knowledge. He’s gentle, clear, grounded, and his authenticity and consistency inspire my own work and life.”
– Dory Herman, AMFT, Santa Rosa-based Experiential Therapist
“Diego has a rare gift for being completely present with the person in front of him. His presence is grounding and strong, yet gentle. He leads with a humility that makes you feel instantly safe and seen.”
– Lee Ockenden, LMFT, Clinical Director & Therapist of 20 Years at Life Compass Counseling