LCSW-C, 5 years of experience
My name is Diane Blackmon and I am a Licensed Certified Social Worker- Clinical in the state of Maryland. My deeply held personal values inspire me to use feminist and decolonized lenses to help adults decrease shame around reactions to stressful and traumatic experiences. I have specialized interests in eating disorders, OCD, complex PTSD, and attachment dynamics in relationships of all types. My love of hip-hop, my old dog Johnny, my own spiritual practices, and reality TV help me unwind in my free time!
In our first session together, we'll start with introductions and I'll share with you important information about your rights as a therapy client (such as your rights to confidentiality, how to cancel/reschedule sessions, etc.). Then I'll ask you more detailed questions so that I can learn more about you and what you're hoping to get from therapy! It is okay if you don't have a completely defined answer. We can figure it out along the way!
I think my greatest strength as a therapist is perhaps my hesitance to come to hard and fast conclusions about people. I have learned to lead with gentle curiosity and to see all human beings as ever-changing story books who continually develop and grow and change over time.
I'm best positioned to serve adults who are working through post-traumatic recovery, or struggles with OCD, anxiety, depression, or body grief/food anxiety.
I use Compassion Focused therapies to help folks process complex trauma, attachment concerns, and self-hate dynamics.
I use ERP specifically for treatment of OCD and struggles with intrusive thoughts and rumination.
I use cultural humility as a lens for all of my clients. This means that you are the authority on your life experience, I take you at your word, and I use curiosity, respect, and openness to facilitate sessions. I do my own personal work by connecting deeply to my own culture, questioning harmful narratives I have been taught, and staying actively aware of how my own cultural background influences the way I see the world and my clients.