About

Dr. Matthew Diner is a licensed psychotherapist, educator, and immigration evaluation specialist serving clients across Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Texas. He holds a PhD and MSW from Yeshiva University’s clinical track, where his training emphasized both advanced clinical practice and research-informed care. His doctoral work examined mindfulness and secondary traumatic stress, shaping a thoughtful, evidence-based approach to trauma and emotional well-being.

Dr. Diner draws from a range of therapeutic approaches, including Psychodynamic, Relational, and Cognitive-Behavioral (CBT) therapies, as well as trauma-informed models such as TF-CBT, CPP, and MST. He integrates these frameworks flexibly, tailoring treatment to each client’s unique experiences, needs, and goals. His work is grounded in creating a supportive, collaborative space where clients can better understand their emotions and move toward meaningful change.

Prior to private practice, Dr. Diner spent years working on the front lines of mental health care in New York City, providing therapy to infants, children, adolescents, and adults across diverse settings. He also brings an educator’s perspective to his clinical work, having served as faculty at Columbia University, Fordham University, and CUNY York College. This blend of clinical experience and academic engagement informs a thoughtful, current, and client-centered approach to care.

Close-up of a young man with dark hair, smiling, wearing a checkered shirt, against a plain background.

    • PhD,  Yeshiva University, Wurzweiler School of Social Work,  Social Welfare, 2016

    • Certificate in Child and Adolescent Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Institute for Psychoanalytic Training and Research (IPTAR), 2024

    • Clinical Fellowship, New York Psychoanalytic Society & Institute (NYPSI), 2016

    • MSW, Yeshiva University, Wurzweiler School of Social Work Social Work, 2013

    • Certificate in Child Welfare Practice, Yeshiva University, Wurzweiler School of Social Work Social Work, 2013

    • BA, Stony Brook University Hispanic Languages & Literature with Honors. 2008

    • Private Practice, Psychotherapist, 9/2017 - Present

    • Association to Benefit Children, Children’s Mental Health Clinic, Clinical Supervisor and Psychotherapist, New York, New York, 7/2015 - 8/2018

    • Mental Health Providers of Western Queens, Psychotherapist, Queens, New York, 1/2015- 9/2017

    • ​The Child Center of New York, Psychotherapist, New York, 5/2014-7/2015

    • Hunter College of the City University of New York, Adjunct Professor, Social Work, 9/2024 - 12/2024

    • The Metropolitan Institute for Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (MITPP), Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Postgraduate Program, Faculty & Clinical Supervisor, 2/2023 - Present

    • National University, Adjunct Professor of Social Work, 12/2022 - Present

    • York College of the City University of New York, Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track), Social Work, 9/2018 - 12/2021

    • Fordham University, Graduate School of Social Service (GSS), Adjunct Professor Social Work. 9/2017 - 5/2018

    • Columbia University, School of Social Work,  Adjunct Professor Social Work, 9/2017 - 5/2018

  • Articles:

    • Diner, M. T. "Measuring Mindfulness and its Relationship to Secondary Traumatic Stress." ProQuest Dissertations Publishing. (10726902) 2016: 98.

    • Diner, M. T. "A Quantitative Analysis of Mindfulness Practice as Self-Care for Social Workers in an Urban Setting." Greenwich Social Work Review. 1 2020: 21-35.

      Non-Refereed Proceedings:

    • Diner, M. T. "Social Work Students Move Wellness Forward." The New Social Worker. 26 2019, Fall: Cover Feature: 17.

      Chapters in Books:

    • Diner, M. T, Moldovan, V., Rotari, E. & Tarna, V. "Social Justice is Energy Justice: Energy as an Integrative Key Social Work Principle." Energy Justice: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation. 1 2021 (accepted): 1-19.

    • "Using Eastern Traditions to Inform Self-Care Practices for Social Workers" February 2019: The 48h Annual Meeting of the Society for Cross-Cultural Research, Jacksonville, Florida.

    • "Social Work Methodology of Community Organizing Through History and Culture: An Intercontinental Education Mode" In collaboration with Moldovan, V. & Rotari, E. June 2019: European Association of Schools of Social Work. Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Madrid, Spain.

    • "Strengthening Internal Capacities: An Economy-Based Model Towards Social Change" July 2019: International Interdisciplinary Conference for Sustainable Community Wellness. Free International University of Moldova. Chisinau, Moldova.

    • "Prevalence and Amelioration of Secondary Traumatic Stress Amongst Social Workers" July 2019: 9th International Conference on Social Work in Health and Mental Health. University of York. York, England.

    • "Empathy Reconsidered: Understanding Cultural, Professional, and Pedagogical Factors" In collaboration with Halper, D. & Robinson, T. November 2019: The 52nd Annual New York State Social Work Education Association (NYSSWEA). Saratoga Springs, New York.

    • "Mindful Self-Care and Implications for Practice in Healthcare" November 2019: CUNY York’s Honors Seminar.

    • "The Nexus of Social and Environmental Justice: A Case Study" In collaboration with Persaud, U. February 2020: The 49h Annual Meeting of the Society for Cross-Cultural Research, Seattle, Washington.

    • "Analyzing the Determinants of Empathy in the Helping Professions" July 2020 (Accepted, cancelled due to COVID-19): European Association of Schools of Social Work. Rimini, Italy.

    • ​"A Cross-Disciplinary Case Study of Ecological and Social Sustainability in Eastern Europe" In collaboration with Persaud, U. July 2020: International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), Calgary, Canada (held virtually due to COVID-19).

    • "A Social and Scientific Elucidation of Global Ecological Justice in Rural Eastern Europe (Poster Presentation)" In collaboration with Persaud, U. April 2021: The International Social Work Education and Development Online Conference 2021 (ISWED 2021), Rimini, Italy (held virtually due to COVID-19).

    • ​"Global Environmental Justice and Social Work Praxis" In collaboration with Persaud, U. April 2021: The 8th Annual Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference: Global Citizenship, Millersville University. Millersville, Pennsylvania. (held virtually due to COVID-19).

    • PSC-CUNY, The Meaning of Empathy in Social Work and Other Helping Professions. 2018 - Present: $3,447.

    • CUNY Academy, The Stewart Travel Award. 2019: $500.

    • PSC-CUNY, Environmentalism: Expanding the Curricula. 2020 - Present: $3,445.25.

    • CUNY Academy, The Stewart Travel Award. 2020: $500 (deferred due to COVID-19).

    • CUNY York, CUNY York, Member, Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) MSW Accreditation: 2018 - 2021

    • CUNY York, MSW Scholar Adviser: 2018 - 2021

    • CUNY York, MSW Program Advisory Council: 2019 – 2021

    • CUNY York, ​Field Supervisor, Institute for Community Wellness: 2019 - 2021

    • CUNY York, Web Liaison (Middle States): 2019 - 2021

    • CUNY York, Visiting Faculty,

    • CUNY Study Abroad Program in Moldova, Eastern Europe: Summer 2019.

    • CUNY York, Faculty Advisor, MSW Leadership Scholars Club: 2019 - 2021

    • CUNY York, ​Social Work Search Committee Member: 2020 - 2021

    • Columbia University, Certified Social Work Field Instructor (SIFI), 2017

    • Columbia University, Social Work Clinical Supervisor, 2017-2018

    • Member, National Association of Social Workers (NASW): 2012 - Present

    • Honorary Member, Phi Alpha Honor Society for Social Work: 2019 - Present

    • Board Member, New York State Social Work Education Association (NYSSWEA): 2020 - 2021

    • Reviewer, Health & Social Care in the Community: 2019 - Present

    • Reviewer, Greenwich Social Work Review: 2020 - Present

  • ‍ ‍ City University of New York (CUNY), Hunter College

    • Human Behavior in the Social Environment III (MSW 713.50, Fall 2024)

      National University

    • Human Behavior and the Social Environment (MSW-5001)

    • Professional Practice with Individuals and Families (MSW-5002)

    • Social Work in Behavioral Health (MSW-6004)

    • Leadership in Social Work Practice (​MSW-6006)

      City University of New York (CUNY), York College

    • Social Welfare Policy, Advocacy and Services (SCWK 501; 3 credits; Fall 2018)

    • Social Work Practice II Organizations and Communities (SCWK 511; 3 credits; Spring 2019)

    • Urban Health Disparities and Global Health (SCWK 601; 3 credits; Fall 2020, 2021)

    • Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings (SCWK 607; 3 credits; Fall 2018, 2019 & 2021)

    • Advanced Field Placement & Seminar III (SCWK 609; 6 credits, 2 hrs. lecture; Fall 2018, 2019)

    • Social Policy and Advocacy in Health Care (SWK 613; 3 credits; Spring 2021)

    • Clinical Social Work Practice in Relation to Death, Grief and Bereavement (SCWK 618; 3 credits; Spring 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)

    • Beyond the Medical Model: Wellness Paradigms for the Social Work Profession (SCWK 620; 3 credits; Spring 2020)

    • Advanced Field Placement & Seminar IV (SCWK 621; 6 credits, 2 hrs. lecture; Spring 2019, 2020. 2021)

      Fordham University, Graduate School of Social Service (GSS)

    • Social Work Practice with Individuals Across the Lifespan. (SWGS 6323; 3 Credits; Fall 2017)

    • Social Work Practice with Families and Groups Across the Lifespan. (SWGS 6324; 3 Credits, Spring 2018)

      Columbia University, School of Social Work

    • Field Education I & II (T6010, T6020, 4.5 credits, Fall & Spring 2017 & 2018 respectively)

  • The Metropolitan Institute for Training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (MITPP), Child & Adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Postgraduate Program

    • Advanced Technique with Children and Adolescents (Spring 2023)

    • Working with Loss in Child Therapy (Summer 2023)

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