Tyler Alexandro Diaz is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of New York working with teenagers, young adults, and adults. Tyler studied Evolutionary Psychology at the University of Arizona and received his Master of Social Work from Fordham University. Since 2012, Tyler began his journey of working with teens and young adults in preventive care and foster care in Arizona and New York, harnessing his therapeutic skills in demanding environments. He has extensive experience working within a CBT and DBT framework.
As a therapist, Tyler works to assist his participants in developing insight into their emotional and somatic responses to different environmental stressors. He specializes in working with teenagers, young adults, and adults living with serious mental illnesses, anxiety, depression, personality disorders, eating disorders, trauma, and substance use. Tyler also has a background in working with adolescents within the LGBTQIA+ community. He understands that many people live with co-occurring mental health and medical disorders and navigates those complexities as part of his participant-centered care.
Tyler specializes in creating realistic goals that are unique to you, taking into account the social barriers, identity politics, life transitions and unmet needs. This is a time during which racial tension, class warfare, and a global pandemic has uprooted everyone’s lives in one way or another; it is no surprise that our mental health is in dire need of attention and care. Tyler wants to design a safe space for you in which you may nourish your creativity, motivation, and help you develop the tools you need to care, respect, and honor yourself every day. Tyler will work with you to goals and then work with you step-by-step to make sure you are getting closer to meeting them; every step forward is an accomplishment worth celebrating.
Tyler embraces all identities, inclusive of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, ability, or religion. He understands that therapy is a journey and that it is critical that you feel comfortable when working with your therapist. Tyler creates an environment in which you are free to be yourself, and feels it is a privilege to be part of your journey of self-love, self-discovery, and self-realization.
10 Things to Know About Tyler Diaz, LCSW
1. Why did you choose to become a therapist?
I became a therapist because I’m a very inquisitive person. I’ve always been interested in decision making and how a person got from point a to point b. Growing up, I was an extremely shy person, I never asked the questions I wanted to. Now, people share their journey with me. I really love learning about another person and what makes them unique.
2. What’s your favorite thing about being a therapist?
That a-ha moment! That moment when the lightbulb just clicks. It can be small, noticing something positive about themselves, or big, how their trauma has shaped their world view. Obviously nothing is linear or concrete, people have many a-ha moments, each one worth celebrating.
3. What is your general philosophy and approach to helping?
Take your time, there’s no rush.
4. If you weren’t a therapist, what would you be doing instead, or what would your life be like?
I feel that my decisions thus far have led me to where I’m supposed to be. I’d change the question to if I won the lottery, I’d retire early and become an author; fiction and thrillers would be my specialty.
5. What do you do for self-care? (Mindfulness practices, exercise, etc.)
In high school and college I was a swimmer. Since moving to NYC, I haven’t had the time to swim, but recently, I’ve started up again and it’s been truly relaxing. I’ve also exceeded my goal for reading this year, it’s been exciting to escape into another world.
6. What’s your favorite quote or mantra?
“We accept the love we think we deserve.” — Charlie from The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.
7. What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
It gets better, just have patience. Express yourself more and have a party with what sets you apart from others.
8. If you could invite three famous people to dinner, alive or dead, who would they be?
This is a REALLY difficult question. First would be Alexander McQueen—I would want to know more about how he created such beauty. Second would be Alan Turing—I feel like he would be excited to come to a dinner party in 2021. And third would be Benjamin Alire Saenz (author of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe)—because it’s one of my favorite books ever.
9. What’s something you are most proud of?
I’m proud of the confidence I have built in myself. As I said earlier, I grew up very shy, often not advocating for myself. Now, I feel empowered, which is a great feeling.
10. What do you wish other people knew about mental health?
I worked with a person who was a structural engineer. Throughout therapy they discussed their job and explained to me what statics is, the branch of mechanics concerned with loads acting on physical systems that do not experience an acceleration, but rather are in static equilibrium with their environment. I wish people understood that everyone isn’t a building in perfect weather, that we are weathering our own storms at different times, enduring and overcoming, creating our own equilibrium. People’s journeys are not linear or concrete, they are winding and ever-changing.
Guiding children, teens, adults and families toward lasting change and lives worth living. Specialists in dialectical and cognitive behavioral therapies (DBT and CBT).
- Anxiety (including Obsessive-Compulsive disorder, panic attacks, school refusal and social phobia)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Anger Management
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Emotion regulation issues
- Family problems
- Impulsivity and Behavior Problems
- Relationship issues
- Self-esteem issues