About Therapy
Therapy is full of wonder.
Therapy can be a life-changing, wonderful experience. You might want to talk to a therapist for many reasons – all valid and essential.
As we begin our work together, I want to know how you prefer to interact – if you like to talk a lot or would instead think more and talk less. Knowing what you like helps me adjust my style to fit your preferences.
Every session, I will ask you if what we did today was helpful because I want you to let me know how we are doing. Please be honest; I can take the truth very well!
For the past nine years, I have been holding most of my sessions via telehealth. As a result, I am very comfortable with this therapeutic mode.
Emotions come out in the room.
Don’t be surprised if you laugh a lot in our session – or cry, for that matter. Or if I cry – that is very common and natural. I feel lucky to be able to work as a therapist. I approach each new client enthusiastically and with curiosity. I am prepared to learn from each new person I meet.
The focus is on action.
You can expect to take away something valuable from every session. I prioritize hearing from you about what works, and I like to end the session with a plan of action.
I particularly value making you think and posing critical thinking questions. I heavily use values as a guide to action and planning a fantastic life for yourself, no matter what that looks like.
ABOUT POTOULA DIAZ, LMHC, LMFT, CAP
Becoming a therapist was a life-long goal.
I am a first-generation Greek American, born to Greek parents in New York. When I was four, I left with my family to return to Greece, and I returned when I was 19, which was the perfect time for me to start my college career.
I knew I wanted to be a therapist since I was young. I remember talking to my parents about it. One day, I told them I would become a therapist, and they said, “Sounds about right; you would make a great one.”
Becoming an effective therapist requires training.
After 30 years in the field, I have received the following licenses and certifications:
- Florida Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist
- Level 2 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy
- Certified Addictions Professional
- Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Certified Mood Disorder Professional
- Certified in Prepare/Enrich, the gold standard in premarital counseling, and helpful at any stage of a relationship, from dating to empty nesting
I also have considerable experience in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused and Trauma-Informed practices.
I love learning and have received one license or certification after another. I don’t know what’s next, but it will be exciting.
Outside of therapy, my focus is on family and fun.
Other than my extensive family of clients, I have a beautiful family all my own. I have a husband and two sons. We are a proud Army family. My husband is a veteran, and currently, both of our sons are on active duty doing amazing things and pushing themselves to new challenges every day. As you can imagine, I have a very soft spot for the military and for all the particular struggles they go through.
When I’m not working, I love spending time with my husband and our two beautiful, crazy dogs, going to the gym – and I’m a runner.
Lastly, I love to travel and look forward to continuing my travels.