Erik Valdez-Diaz

Erik Valdez-Diaz begins his first year interning at a high school level. In deciding which school was his perfect fit, he ultimately chose Gabrielino because of its thriving Wellness Center.

“I didn’t go to a high school that had mental health resources for students, so I wanted to learn from it,” Diaz said.

Diaz’s personal experiences in high school led him to pursue counseling. He enjoys counseling because it is as if time slows down, allowing him to reflect on the bigger picture, while questioning how our actions align with our values.

“I wanted to be someone who was able to check in with students outside of academics, something I didn’t have growing up,” Diaz said sincerely.