Diana Salazar

With over fifteen years of experience in the field of mental health, Diana Salazar, LCSW-S, RPT-S, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her practice at Sunshine State Counseling Center. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida, Diana's approach to therapy is both comprehensive and specialized, drawing from her diverse background and extensive training.

Diana's therapeutic toolkit is impressively diverse. She is a nationally Certified Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, allowing her to work effectively with children using play therapy techniques. Additionally, her certification in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy equips her to address complex trauma cases with evidence-based practices. Diana is also fully trained in Gottman's Method for Couple's Therapy, Sand Tray Play Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), showcasing her commitment to offering a wide range of therapeutic modalities to best serve her clients' needs.

Diana's journey in mental health began in Bogota, Colombia, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Pontifical Xaverian University in 2004. She then pursued her master's degree in Clinical Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University, graduating in 2012. This diverse educational background gives her a unique perspective on mental health, blending international experiences with American clinical practices.

Throughout her career, Diana has worked in various settings, each contributing to her well-rounded approach to therapy. In Colombia, she provided psychoeducational groups in schools and developed sexual and reproductive health programs. She also worked with the Colombian National Army, utilizing prolonged exposure therapy to treat soldiers with post-trauma symptoms. In the United States, her experience spans from working with emotionally disturbed children in inpatient psychiatric programs to providing therapy for juvenile offenders and adults with mental health disorders.

In 2015, Diana co-founded Sunshine State Counseling Center in Bonita Springs, FL, where she currently serves as the clinical director. Her practice focuses on treating a wide range of issues including emotional and behavioral challenges, high conflict divorce and co-parenting, relational conflicts, grief and loss, trauma, and mood disorders. Diana's approach is rooted in research-based modalities, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Play Therapy, Sand Tray Play Therapy, and Mindfulness techniques.

Diana's bilingual capabilities allow her to provide therapy comfortably in both English and Spanish, serving a diverse clientele ranging from children as young as 3 to adults, couples, and families. Her practice philosophy centers on empowering clients to build and develop their inner strengths, offering a compassionate, ethical, and professional therapeutic environment where healing and personal growth can flourish.