Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Diamari Velez
LCSW, MSW
Therapy for Individuals, ages 6+, English and Spanish-Speaking
My goal as a therapist is to create a safe, collaborative space where clients of all ages, from children to adults, can process experiences, build resilience, and feel truly seen and heard. I walk alongside my clients with empathy, offering a holistic and supportive environment for healing, self-discovery, and meaningful change.
I take a direct, relational approach, grounded in compassion, and provide inclusive, affirming, and trauma-informed care. As a first-generation Latina American and bilingual, bicultural clinician, I draw on my lived experience to understand how culture, language, and systemic barriers influence mental health.
My practice is integrative and individualized, honoring each client as a whole person - mind, body, relationships, and environment. I often draw from CBT, ACT, attachment theory, and creative modalities such as art and play therapy. I have experience supporting individuals with Autism, ADHD, neurodivergent differences, trauma, domestic violence, anxiety, perinatal mental health struggles, and legal system involvement. I especially enjoy working with young children and incorporating play therapy into sessions.
Diamari provides therapy in English and Spanish.
A little about me:
I love random dance parties with my husband and two children, horror movies (only during the daytime!), and long walks with my dogs, Sirius and Andromeda—always with an audiobook playing. I also love music and am an avid book reader,
Education:
Bachelor’s in Psychology, St. John’s University, Queens, New York, 2018
Master of Social Work, Forensic Focus, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, 2020
What are your top specialties?
Trauma, PTSD, anxiety, ADHD, perinatal mental health, new parents, neurodivergence, Latinx clients, children and play therapy.
What would you say to someone considering therapy with you?
Let’s start this journey together. Reaching out for support takes courage, and you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. Wherever you are right now is the perfect place to start- we’ll move at your pace and find the path forward together.
How do clients describe you?
Authentic, vibrant, and compassionate.
What insurance do you accept?
BCBS PPO, Aetna, Anthem, Cigna/Evernorth and United.
What does a typical session with you look like?
My sessions are client-led, because I believe in meeting people exactly where they are. I like to begin with a creative check-in — I might ask what music you’ve been listening to or what content has been resonating with you lately. These moments help us tap into your world and what’s currently shaping your thoughts and emotions. At the heart of my approach is connection. I believe that genuine connection is the key to healing. Together, we’ll build a space grounded in trust, authenticity, and curiosity — and use that connection to guide our work toward wherever you feel you need to be.
Who is your ideal client?
I love providing neurodivergent-affirming care, whether that’s working with an individual with ADHD, someone on the Autism Spectrum, or with their parents. I approach this work through a lens of understanding and acceptance—helping clients embrace who they are, rather than feeling the need to mask parts of themselves to fit in.
I’m also deeply passionate about supporting new parents, parents of children with support needs, and parents who are working to break generational cycles. Walking alongside families as they navigate growth, healing, and connection is incredibly meaningful to me, and I’m honored to be part of those journeys.
My work with Latinx clients is another source of pride and joy. Sessions sometimes flow between English and Spanish—or even Spanglish—and that blending of language and culture allows for a deeply authentic and connected therapeutic experience.
Lastly, I’m especially drawn to working with individuals navigating complex trauma. Creating a space where people can safely explore, process, and heal at their own pace is some of the most powerful and rewarding work I do.
Diamari’s Approach
My approach to therapy is rooted in creating a space that feels grounded and approachable. I meet my clients exactly where they are, offering warmth, curiosity, and acceptance as we navigate their experiences together. My goal is to build a space where clients feel seen, understood, and supported in becoming more fully themselves.
I draw from several approaches depending on what feels most helpful for each person. Some of the main ones I use are Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills, mindfulness, play therapy, and art therapy.
I often use ACT when working with trauma or in providing affirming care for neurodivergent clients. I appreciate its focus on acceptance rather than "fixing"- it helps people make space for their experiences while staying connected to what truly matters to them.
When I work with anxiety, overstimulation, or with new parents adjusting to life changes, I take a mindful approach- slowing down, noticing what’s happening in the moment, and creating gentleness toward ourselves.
With my kiddo clients, I believe that play is the language of a child. We spend our sessions in their world, using play and creativity to explore emotions, build skills, and foster connection in a way that feels natural and safe for them.
No matter the approach, I see therapy as a collaborative process—we’ll explore, experiment, and grow together at a pace that feels right for you.
Click here for more detailed information on therapeutic modalities.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps you move beyond negative thoughts and feelings in a meaningful way by accepting that your thoughts and emotions are an appropriate response to certain situations and committing to making changes in your life that match your values.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-oriented type of talk therapy that can help manage mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, and emotional concerns, such as coping with grief or stress.
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a humanistic, evidence-based approach to psychotherapy, drawing primarily from attachment theory to facilitate the creation of secure, vibrant connection with self and others.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) is frequently used as an evidence-based psychotherapy, helping people heal by accessing and healing their protective and wounded inner parts.
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Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is a modified form of cognitive therapy that incorporates mindfulness practices that include present moment awareness, meditation, and breathing exercises.
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Motivational interviewing helps people resolve ambivalent feelings and insecurities to find the internal motivation they need to change their behavior.
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Through play therapy, children learn to express their thoughts and feelings in appropriate ways, learn about the feelings of others, learn ways of controlling their own behavior, and learn how to solve problems they encounter.
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Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) addresses the mental health needs of people suffering from the destructive effects of early trauma.
Top Specialties:
Trauma and PTSD
Autism
Anxiety
Areas of Expertise:
ADHD
Art Therapy
Behavioral Issues
Children
Codependency
Depression
Divorce
Domestic Violence
Family Conflict
First Generation Issues
Grief
Latinx Issues
LGBTQ+
Life Transitions
Mood Disorders
Neurodivergence
Oppositional Defiance (ODD)
Parenting
Play Therapy
Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum
School Issues
Self Esteem
Sexual Abuse
Stress
Women's Issues
Interested in working together? Fill out the form below, call (630) 940-6828 or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We also offer a 15-minute free phone consultation.
Questions about insurance?
Give us a call or email scheduling@paderatherapy.com. We can often work with insurance companies if we are out-of-network. If we are an out-of-network provider or you do not have insurance, our rate is currently $135.00 for a 53 minute session. However, we also offer reduced rates in special circumstances. Finances should never be a deterrent for seeking help! We work with families to come up with a number that works for you.