Dr. Matthew Diner, PhD, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, educator, trained psychotherapist, and expert evaluator for immigration cases in Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, and Texas. He earned both his PhD and MSW in Social Work from Yeshiva University, specializing in the clinical track. His doctoral research explored the relationship between mindfulness and secondary traumatic stress.
Dr. Diner has received professional training in multiple theoretical models, including Psychodynamic Therapy, Relational Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), and Multi-Systemic Therapy (MST). In his practice, he integrates these approaches to provide a highly personalized treatment plan tailored to each individual’s unique needs. With a deep commitment to fostering a safe and supportive therapeutic environment, Dr. Diner helps clients explore painful and distressing emotions, identify meaningful goals, and develop strategies to navigate difficult emotions and life circumstances. He firmly believes that the awareness and insight gained through therapy empower individuals to develop a stronger connection with themselves, engage more fully in their relationships, and be more present in the world around them. Before establishing his private practice, Dr. Diner worked extensively in outpatient mental health clinics across New York City, providing individual and dyadic psychotherapy to infants, children, adolescents, and adults. In addition to his clinical work, he is a dedicated educator, having taught graduate-level social work courses at institutions such as CUNY York College, Columbia University, and Fordham University.
Education
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
clinical experience
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
Teaching EXPERIENCE
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
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.
Peer-reviewed conferences
"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).
research Grants
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).
other academic experience
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
Offices Held In Professional Societies
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
graduate level courses taught
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)
postgraduate courses taught
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)