About Carmen Diaz

Compassionate, whole-person care shaped by cultural understanding and practical support.

Choosing a therapist or evaluator is personal. You want to know that the person sitting across from you will listen carefully, communicate clearly, and respect the experiences that have shaped your life. I want you to understand not only what I do, but also how I approach the people who trust me with their stories.

Certified in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)(opens in new tab)

Trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing) EMDRIA

Top Mental Health Professional 2026

Honored to Be Recognized Among San Antonio’s Top Mental Health Professionals for 2026

Read More

My Path to Counseling

My path to becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor was not a straight line. Before entering the counseling field, I studied and worked in international business, education, and both public and private organizations. Each experience strengthened my ability to listen across different perspectives, adapt to complex situations, and connect with people from varied backgrounds.

Counseling became the place where those experiences came together. I found work that allows me to combine compassion, curiosity, cultural understanding, and practical problem-solving while helping people move through difficult or uncertain seasons of life.

A Bicultural Perspective

I am a first-generation Mexican American and the daughter of immigrants. I also lived in Mexico during my teens and young adulthood. Moving between cultures shaped how I understand identity, belonging, family roles, language, expectations, and the many ways people learn to adapt.

This background does not mean I assume I already know your experience. It reminds me to listen with curiosity and respect. I provide services in English and Spanish and strive to create a space where your culture, values, relationships, and lived experience are treated as meaningful parts of your story.

Carmen Diaz, LPC, therapist and immigration mental health evaluator in San Antonio, Texas.

What Therapy With Me Is Like

Many of the people I work with are responsible, capable, and accustomed to carrying a great deal. They may be managing demanding careers, school, relationships, family responsibilities, cultural expectations, or a major life transition while privately feeling anxious, overwhelmed, emotionally drained, or unsure of what comes next.

I provide individual therapy for adults, including professional women, college students, first-generation clients, and people considering therapy for the first time. You do not need to arrive with the right words or a perfectly defined goal. We can begin with what feels difficult now and work together to identify what would help you feel more grounded, clear, and confident.

Therapy with me is more than simply talking about what is wrong. I want our work to help you understand patterns, strengthen emotional awareness, practice healthier boundaries, and develop coping skills you can use outside the therapy room. My approach is compassionate, collaborative, and practical.

I take a holistic view of mental health by considering the connections among thoughts, emotions, physical well-being, daily habits, relationships, culture, and life circumstances. Depending on your needs, I may incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, solution-focused approaches, mindfulness, and EMDR-informed work. I am certified in DBT and trained in EMDR.

Immigration Evaluation Work

I also provide immigration mental health and psychosocial evaluations for individuals and families navigating hardship, trauma, victimization, family separation concerns, and other immigration-related stressors. These evaluations are separate from therapy and are completed from an independent clinical perspective.

My goal is to provide a respectful, trauma-informed space where clients can share difficult experiences in English or Spanish and feel heard throughout the process. With written authorization, I communicate with the client's attorney to clarify the referral question, relevant deadlines, and supporting information while maintaining clinical independence and confidentiality.

In addition to my counseling background, I hold a master's degree in International Relations from St. Mary's University, with a concentration in international development. This education, together with my bicultural background and clinical training, supports my understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and the emotional and family factors that may be relevant in immigration cases.

Professional Background

  • Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas
  • Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy
  • Trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
  • Master's degree in International Relations from St. Mary's University with a concentration in international development
  • Professional experience in international business, education, and public and private organizations
  • Services available in English and Spanish
  • In-person services in San Antonio and virtual services throughout Texas

Taking the Next Step

If you are considering therapy, it is okay to have questions or feel unsure about where to begin. If you need an immigration evaluation, I can explain the process and what to expect. A 10 minute consultation is available to discuss the service you are seeking and next steps.