Welcome! I'm Diana and I've helped thousands of struggling children, adolescents and adults in the public school setting and private practice for 32 years. I am highly experienced at treating common issues such as anxiety, depression, trauma, ASD, diabilities and ADHD. I also had the opportunity to help children and their families who are dealing with more complicated problems that are compounded by grief, divorce, abuse, separation anxiety, or disabilites.
After introductions, I will obtain information from you about what you are hoping to gain from our sessions together. I will also explain the therapy process and answer any questions you have. My goal is to make you feel comfortable, safe and provide hope in a non-judgemental.
I use active listening, empathy, strong communication skills, cultural competence, ethical integrity, and flexibility in tailoring treatment plans to meet individual needs. Building trust with my clients is essential and I strive to create a safe and supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood in a non-judgemental manner while navigating their challenges. I have over 30 years of experience providing therapy and have developed a repertoire of strategies and skills that are effective. I also am dedicated and passionate about continuing education and training to better understand and meet my client's individual needs.
You may be looking at my profile because you are overwhelmed, exhausted, stressed, and frustrated with life challenges. Congratulations on taking this important step in seeking mental health therapy. I specialize in working with women who are experiencing interpersonal struggles or challenges with their children.
I have been very effective in using CBT with children, adolescents and adults for over 30 years to treat a variety of behavioral, social and emotional issues including anxiety, depression, and trauma. I am very effective at teaching my clients how to understand, identify and change their negative thought patterns. Understanding and developing an awareness of how our thinking affects our feelings and actions helps my clients respond more effectively to challenging situations and developing life long coping skills and strategies.
As a certified Trauma Practioner, I use Trauma Informed Care by recognizing and responding to the potential impact of trauma on my client's life and creating a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment, validating their experiences, and utilizing techniques that avoid re-traumatization, while empowering my clients to take an active role in their healing process; essentially shifting the focus from "what's wrong with you" to "what happened to you."
I excel in helping people who are in crisis or emotional distress set goals, identify strengths, and focus on finding practical solutions to solve their problems. I believe in my clients and am very effective in providing therapy that isn't always a long-term commitment and am passionate about providing hope, guidance, and support to gain the confidence they need to thrive and grow without the need for long term therapy.
I have effectively treated children, adolescents and adults using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), which is an evidence-based psychotherapy designed to help children, adolescents, and adults who have experienced traumatic events. I use psychoeducation, cognitive processing, exposure therapy, relaxation and coping skills, grounding techniques and family involvement to help my clients reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other trauma-related difficulties.