Therapist Highlight: Aida Diallo

Hello! My name is Aida Diallo. I am a mental health therapist and I grew up in Dakar and New York. I am multi-lingual, speaking fluent Wolof and French in addition to English. I graduated with a bachelor’s in Sociology from the City College of New York and a master’s in Social Work from New York University.

Therapy is just not about talking to someone, it is more than that. Our mental health and well-being are important. Most of the time we are told to “be strong,” but being strong requires facing unwanted thoughts and feelings so that you can be the best version of yourself. Avoiding or “Mougnal” (translated as “just endure”) can lead to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, especially when it comes to children. 

Immigrating, adjusting to a new country, leaving friends and family behind, coping with a major life transition, acculturation issues, and bullying can leave you mentally worn-out and can affect your relationships and self-motivation. Therapy can be a place where these issues are processed and managed. It is clear that in our culture therapy is not popular, however, I invite you to shift your focus in regards to how you view mental health and therapy. We all need a safe space where we can be open and fully vulnerable; therapy can be that space for you, but in order to know that you have to be open to it and be willing to try it. 

Please take the first step and request an appointment. I look forward to supporting you on your journey to inner peace and well-being.