Meet Marisa Diaz
Pre-Doctoral Intern
Building Connections
Marisa is a doctoral candidate at Widener University’s Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, and she joins us for her first of two internship placements. She finds great joy in supporting children and adolescents as they navigate their developmental journeys. She is passionate about helping individuals, parents, and families gain a deeper understanding of their strengths, challenges, and support needs through assessment. Marisa believes that every person brings a unique perspective to the world, and she strives to approach every interaction with warmth, empathy, and respect.
Marisa enjoys building connections with others. She can easily win over a shy student by sharing funny stories about her two cats. She is also a Spanish speaker and values providing culturally responsive care to individuals and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Education and Experience
Experience
Marisa joins our practice with a strong foundation in both school and private practice settings. She has experience administering a wide range of neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessments for concerns such as autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and mood disorders. Prior to graduate school, she served as a Milieu Therapist at UPMC Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic, providing therapeutic support and implementing behavioral interventions for children and adolescents.
Education
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology, Widener University (Expected 2028)
B.S. in Psychology & B.A. in Spanish, University of Pittsburgh
Focus of Work
Marisa is working toward specializing in pediatric neuropsychology and will obtain her school psychology certification. Her clinical approach is grounded in evidence-based practice and a neuroaffirming framework that honors each client's identity and values. She holds a certificate in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and has specialized training in Latin American Studies, which informs her commitment to advocacy and culturally informed care. Her work integrates psychological, biological, and sociocultural data to develop comprehensive, actionable profiles that empower children and their families to thrive.