Diana Benjamin Rodriguez, LCSW, CAADC
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Advanced Addictions Counselor. I am committed to creating a lasting impact on the total well-being of individuals, who are challenged by life because of a life transition, grief and loss, trauma or substance related struggles. My goal is to empower entrusted clients with therapeutic tools that create a sense of safety and well-being and promote healing. With hope, compassion and understanding, I will stand with you as you deal with your pain and will walk beside you as you obtain awareness into your present and past experiences and address your issues. I believe that the counseling and therapeutic process needs to be collaborative to be effective. As so together we work on identifying your issues, clarifying your goals, building on your strengths and deepening your inner core. We will develop an individualized plan to successfully address any issue, concern or challenge that impacts your well-being and relationships.
Specialties & Training
I have twenty-five years of experience working with individuals, couples, families, adolescents and groups in various settings which include private practice, employee assistance programs, outpatient, inpatient and residential settings. My specialty is working with individuals who have experienced trauma, grief and loss issues related to or triggered by a life transition such as death, divorce, relocation, acculturation, parental role adjustment or challenges, career changes, mid-life issues, etc. Additional specializations include substance abuse treatment and Employee Assistance Program counseling. Symptoms that I work with are anxiety, depression, chronic emptiness, low self-esteem and lack of life meaning and purpose.
Education and Training
- Master of Clinical Social Work, Silberman School of Social Work, NYC
- Alcohol & Drug Counselor Training, One year program, Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, NYC
- Strategic Family Therapy, Dr. March Ortiz (trainer for Jay Haley Family Therapy Institute of Washington, D.C.)
- Trained in the Trauma Incident Reduction (TIR) Model
- Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT) (Level 1 Clinician), The PACT Institute
- Employee Assistance Specialist - Clinical, EAPA
- Attachment Based Family Therapy (ABFT), Drexel University, Philadelphia
Innerworkings
My integrative approach to counseling is relationally, psychobiologically focused, person centered and system oriented. I use complimentary treatment strategies that are strength based, principle driven and grounded in attachment theory, mindfulness and 12 Step tradition. I will provide a safe environment where you can identify and address the innerworkings of your issue(s). You will be supported with effective and reliable coping skills and tools that will lead to your overall well-being and healthy functioning.
The Innerworkings approach begins with a comprehensive evaluation to assess current issues and possible long-standing patterns of behavior or ineffective beliefs about yourself and others (internal working model). These may have served a purpose at a time in your life but are no longer needed and if continued to be used would have a negative impact on your healing and long-term recovery.Your coping skills will be carefully evaluated. We will also look at unresolved feelings stemming from ruptured relationships as well as the environmental impact on your life. Biochemical and physically based conditions that impact mental health will also be looked at. Once the issues are clearly identified, we will address the immediate symptoms or crisis while compassionately working on resolving core issues that will lead to long term well-being. This process and work is done at a pace that is comfortable for you.