Dr. Manuel A. Diaz

My name is Manny Diaz (he/him/his/él) and I am a gay Latino male therapist and educator based in California. As a native of East Los Angeles, I am aware of the sociocultural influences impacting the mental health of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals. With training from the Modern Sex Therapy Institute and my role as a college professor, I aim to put theory into practice, supported by cultural humility. Using a relational approach, my therapy and coaching sessions emphasize authenticity, transparency, and gentle challenging.

I am passionate about helping clients explore topics of sex, gender, sexuality, and alternative relationship structures, as well as the intersections of racial trauma and social injustice. My goal is to engage clients in meaning-making and redefining the concept of queerness as a means to promote autonomy, empowerment, and liberation.

My work is collaborative, often using alternative modalities, such as Bibliotherapy, Cinematherapy, and Scriptotherapy to assist clients in developing counterstories, cuentos, and testimonios that encourage emotional and psychological healing. My main priority is to provide clients with an affirming and brave space to show up as they are.‍