Early influences

My undergraduate studies in Women and Gender Studies at UC Berkeley validated the experiences of myself and other BIPOC women who are often left out of the narrative due to our intersectional identities. My college education gave me the language to understand the intricate pressures women face, particularly those navigating the intersections of multiple identities.

We're often expected to shape parts of our identity according to others' desires, to shrink ourselves in order to fit neatly into prescribed roles. These expectations can leave us feeling divided, disconnected from our true selves, and lost in seeking genuine support.

Graduate school and early career

After finishing my undergraduate degree, I worked in several nonprofits in Oakland and Richmond, CA, before traveling around the world. I learned much about joy, suffering, and everything else from those who opened their homes and hearts. Shortly after, I went to graduate school at UC Berkeley to pursue a Master's in Social Work. My first clinical internship was at a residential facility for women experiencing substance abuse and interpersonal traumas. What stood out to me the most as a therapist in training at the time was that many of the women I worked with believed they were undeserving of help because of the things that happened to them in life. Some of my former clients at the time wanted support and grappled with the stigma of what it meant to accept help-weakness.

Stigma, particularly for BIPOC women, cast a long shadow, preventing so many from accessing the support they desperately needed. This fueled my commitment to creating a space where healing could flourish without judgment. We all have a past, have made mistakes, and have done and said things we're not proud of, which makes us human.

After finishing graduate school, I focused on providing therapy, supervision, and clinical consultation within the Oakland and San Francisco community mental health agencies. In 2013, this dedication culminated in opening my private practice, a place where women could feel safe, heard, and supported to reclaim their mental well-being.

Therapeutic approach

Understanding the root causes of psychological and emotional distress is key to reducing suffering in the long term. My approach, which blends extensive clinical training with a compassionate, client-centered focus, is designed to achieve this. I use evidence-based practices like CBT, ACT, DBT, trauma-informed care, and attachment-based therapy, all of which are widely recognized as effective for reducing symptoms. When combined with compassion-focused interventions, mindfulness, and affirming care, these methods empower my clients to build resilience, develop coping skills, and improve relationships.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me and my approach.

Specialties in working with clients

• Anxiety (general, panic attacks, social anxiety, OCD, health anxiety)

• Depression and mood disorders

• Trauma (direct, vicarious, 1st/1.5gen, racial)

• Relationship issues (communication, boundaries, separation)

• Narcissistic abuse

• Major life changes

Qualifications

University of California Berkeley, MSW

LCSW LCS#29729-State of California

CBT-ACT Advanced Clinical postgraduate certification (two-year certification program)-JFK University

CBT for Anxiety and Depression-Stanford University

Trauma-Informed Practices-UCSF

DBT Certification for Personality Disorders

Listed are my most relevant certifications. I am also certified and have training in several other psychotherapy modalities.

Professional Affiliations

Association for Contextual Behavioral Sciences

California Society for Clinical Social Work

National Association of Clinical Social Workers

Contact

• Email: therapy@cynthiadimon.com

• Phone or text: (510) 640-4223

• I provide online therapy in San Francisco, Oakland, and throughout California. In-person therapy in San Francisco and Oakland is available as well.