Dr. Diana Milillo-Portugal

I am a licensed mental health counselor who aims to be a warm, caring, and supportive presence for you at a time when you may need it. What I find is that stress or crisis might bring a client into therapy, but conversations often begin to center around old patterns of behavior or ideas about one's self that are just not helpful anymore. Exploring and working to change internal ideas about one's self can lead to growing into the adult that you want to be, and thriving at that!

I work with people mostly individually, using several models of therapy to inform my practice. I base my work on attachment theory, Internal Family Systems, Gestalt theory, and cognitive behavioral theory. What we might do in sessions can vary depending on what a person needs, likes or wants; we can do traditional talk therapy, or use other tools (e.g., creative art expression, writing, role play), only if a client is willing. I will always be transparent and meet each client where they are.

My first goal is to build a warm, safe and trusting relationship with my clients, as I truly believe relationships are where we first learn about ourselves and the world. I ask lots of questions, and use your answers to build a map of where you want therapy to go. Therapy goals should be yours, not mine! I also try to provide clients with psychoeducation, particularly around issues of family dynamics, relationships, parenting, and trauma.