Diana Villena profile image

Diana Villena

Diana Villena

(she/her)

LCSW
11 years of experience
Authentic
Warm
Empowering
Virtual

Hi! I’m Diana I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over ten years of experience working with people of all ages and backgrounds. I am based in Los Angeles, California and I work with clients statewide via tele-health. My approach to therapy is rooted in connecting you with yourself. I use a variety of treatment methods to help you gain a better understanding of your thoughts, choices, and emotions, as well as develop the tools to sustain a lifetime of well-being. My aim is to provide a therapeutic environment that is safe, comfortable, and malleable to your needs. In therapy, I will work collaboratively with you to help you explore your narrative, expand your perspective, and build skills that will help guide you to your personal goals. I have found that my approach is best suited for adults; often those suffering from anxiety, trauma, depression, relationship issues, environmental stressors or unmet needs. With symptoms presenting in a variety of ways, I can help you build awareness of those symptoms, create tools to manage them, and most importantly, help you process your experiences in order to find balance and inner peace.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

Our first session would be exploratory, as I want to understand as much as I can about you, the problems you're facing, and the goals you hope to achieve. I believe that trust and safety are paramount in the therapeutic relationship and our initial sessions would be primarily focused on establishing that foundation. Beyond the first sessions, what you can expect to take away from our time together is a greater understanding of yourself, and more importantly, a greater connection to yourself. This connection, along with the skills you’ll acquire, will guide you forward, helping you meet your needs and address your feelings in a healthier manner.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

From a young age, I’ve always felt a strong sense of connection and empathy towards others. As an immigrant, I spent much of my childhood observing others and trying to adapt to a new way of life. This led to a natural curiosity about people, the way they live their lives, and their search for happiness. It also required that I face my own fears and seek my own healing. I found therapy to be a natural calling; deriving joy and purpose in helping guide others on their journey to health and well-being. It can be frightening opening up to a stranger and I consider it a privilege to be in the position of providing a safe space for healing.

About Diana Villena

Licensed in

Appointments

Virtual

My treatment methods

Somatic

I have completed a 60 hour certificate training program in Somatic EMDR therapy in order to use in my practice. Somatic therapy explores how the body can/does express emotions and experiences and I use it as an additional tool to create healing. The somatic practice I utilize can help one build awareness of bodily sensations, and teach people to feel safe in their bodies while exploring thoughts, emotions, and experiences.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)

I often utilize an IFS approach to healing, helping each person focus on creating a trusting relationship with their own internal emotional and defensive system. This approach often uses meditation, mindfulness and somatic techniques to reach a safe collaboration with our own system in order to process and heal trapped emotions/beliefs.

Trauma Informed Care

I use to the guiding principles of trauma informed care, which are; safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness and empowerment. This creates space for physical and emotional safety. I also am trained to respond to the signs, symptoms, and risks of trauma.