Dr Diari Banigo

LCSW (NA)16 years of experienceNext available
4.8 (135)
Solution oriented
Intelligent
Empowering

Hello, and welcome. I am Dr. Diari Banigo, Ph.D, LCSW, a Christian, doctoral‑trained clinician, and adjunct professor. I am dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence‑informed therapy that honors the whole person. My approach emphasizes emotional resilience, meaningful connection, and healing from life’s stressors. I believe therapy is most effective as a collaborative process, and I encourage patients to actively engage in their care with me and with other providers who support their overall wellbeing. Important Notice:

I am a skilled clinician, and I provide clinical supervision to clinicians focused on sharpening their clinical skills.

Dr. Banigo provides psychotherapeutic services. Requests for administrative documentation—such as disability certification, FMLA, or emotional support animal letters—will be referred to another mental health provider. This policy ensures that therapy sessions remain focused on clinical care and your healing process.

First session

In your first intake session, I will welcome you into a friendly, safe, and non‑judgmental space. This appointment is a calm, collaborative conversation designed to help you feel supported from the very beginning. During the intake session, we will walk through the following topics: Introduction — A warm welcome and brief check‑in to help you settle in. Informed Consent — Review of policies, clarification of expectations, and time for your questions. Biopsychosocial Assessment — We will complete this together to understand your past experiences, current supports, stressors, and factors influencing your wellbeing. Exploration of Goals — We will discuss your reasons for seeking therapy, what wellness means to you, and the changes you hope to see. Space for Questions — You can ask about the process, treatment approaches, or anything else you’d like to understand. Gentle Close — We will end with a brief summary of our discussion and agree on next steps so you leave feeling informed, supported, and clear about the direction of your care.

Strengths

My approach blends advanced clinical training, whole‑person wellness, and a warm, grounded therapeutic presence. I bring doctoral‑level expertise to every session, but I deliver care in a way that feels human, calm, and deeply supportive. I leverage the strength approach to explore the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual factors that shape your wellbeing. Here are some of the strengths that I bring to the sessions : A warm, grounded, and non‑judgmental therapeutic presence Openness to exploring Faith and spiritually focused on enhancing overall wellbeing Strong assessment and treatment‑planning skills An integrative wellness perspective that honors whole‑person healing Culturally responsive, ethical, and patient‑centered practice

Ideal clients

Adult patients in need of a safe, supportive and non-judgemental space to share thoughts and learn healthier coping strategies. Adults experiencing psychosocial stressors. Adults experiencing major life transitions and challenges in several domains of life, including acculturation. Veterans, active military and their families.

Location

Virtual sessions

Identifies as

  • Black / African American

  • Christian

  • Woman

Top specialties

  • Anger Management

  • Depression

  • Family Conflict

Other specialties

  • Anxiety

  • Coping Skills

  • Self Esteem

Serves

  • Adults (18 to 64)

  • Elders (65 and above)

Licensed in

  • CaliforniaLicense 100778

  • MarylandLicense 15059

Accepted insurance

  • Aetna

  • Aetna - ASR Health Benefits

  • Aetna - Allied Benefits

  • Aetna - Gravie

  • Aetna - Lucent Health

  • Aetna - Luminare

  • Aetna - Medicare

  • Aetna - Moda

  • Aetna - WebTPA

  • Aetna – HealthEZ

  • All Savers

  • Amerihealth Administrators

  • Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage

  • Anthem

  • Blue Cross

  • Independence Administrators

  • Independence Blue Cross

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield

  • CareFirst

  • Arlo

  • AvMed

  • Blue Shield

  • Cash - $190 per session

  • Centivo

  • Cigna

  • Cigna - HealthEZ

  • EAP:Cigna

  • EAP:Evernorth

  • EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum

  • Evernorth

  • GTEB

  • Golden Rule

  • Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare

  • Humana - Medicare

  • Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)

  • Blue Shield of California - Medicare

  • Independence Personal Choice 65 PPO

  • Independence Keystone 65 HMO

  • Kaiser Permanente

  • Kaiser Permanente - Medicare

  • L.A. Care PASC-SEIU

  • L.A. Care Covered

  • L.A. Care Covered Direct

  • UnitedHealthcare/Optum

  • Optum

  • OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions

  • Oscar

  • Oxford

  • Scripps Health Plan

  • Sharp Health Plan

  • Surest (formerly Bind)

  • Carelon Behavioral Health (Commercial)

  • Sutter Health Plan

  • IHSS Healthy Workers

  • Tufts Health/Cigna

  • United Medical Resources

  • UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare

  • UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)

  • UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)

  • UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance

  • UnitedHealthcare Shared Services

  • UnitedHealthcare StudentResources

Reviews and ratings

4.8 rating (135)19 reviews
September 14, 2026

I would Love to Thank Grow for the opportunity to have found both Grow and Dr. Banigo. I have been GREATLY BLESSED by Our New Sessions and forming a Healthy Way of Living with these harding times, which have reaked Havic in my life. I look forward to Healing and Help Family and Friends find their way out of darkness.

Verified client, age 55-64Review shared after session 6 with Dr
September 1, 2026

I have limited hearing, and I struggled with her accent, making it difficult for me to connect with her.

Verified client, age 65+Review shared after session 1 with Dr
August 28, 2026

still getting to know each other's style of communicating and working on a plan

Verified client, age 55-64Review shared after session 2 with Dr
Schedule 60 min