Hi! I’m Diana.
Welcome! I’m not sure why you might be looking for a therapist, but thank you for stopping by to learn more about how I might be able to help. For geeky specifics on me, scroll down.
As your therapist, I am grateful that you’ve trusted me with your story. I understand that reaching out to a therapist or counselor is a big first step. We will work together to find the way forward at a pace comfortable for you, so you can live your life with confidence and authenticity.
My Philosophy
I approach counseling from the point of view that people can get better: anxiety can go away (yes, even OCD), depression can lift, trauma can be processed and released. Everyone has emotions and I believe you can feel better and live a life where peace, happiness and joy are a part of your life. If you want to hang onto a diagnosis and define your life by it, then I am not the therapist for you. In our counseling sessions, together we will explore a variety of concepts:
- Understanding your feelings;
- How your own past and that of your ancestor’s have shaped your thoughts and behaviors today;
- How to stay present and aware of the moment without judgment;
- Explore using a solution-focused perspective to take steps towards more positive outcomes.
What I expect from you
I expect that you will talk. While I have some intuitive abilities, I am not a mind reader. If you don’t tell me about something, I won’t know about it and will not be able to respond to help process it with you.
I expect that you want change in your life. As a a solution-focused therapist, I expect that you will be willing to use different techniques to create positive change in your life. I expect that you will also use these techniques in your everyday life.
I use techniques that work well for most clients:
- Talk therapy, we will explore what different things mean to you.
- Using the body and movements of the body to release “stuck” feelings and in some cases even release or reduce physical pain (because all injuries have a physical and emotional component). In our online sessions you will mimic my movements to achieve the desired release. I use Somatic Tapping, Brainspotting, and Parts work.
- Meditation which includes mindfulness and guided imagery,
- Affirmations which are the creation of positive statements used to build confidence and hope. We use these after releasing the negative thoughts through body movement,
- If you are interested, we can explore symbolism by looking at your remembered dreams, oracle cards, inner active cards, or tarot cards to determine how the symbolism might relate to what different parts of you are feeling and what you are experiencing in your life.
Who Am I?
I’m originally from the corn and soybean fields of Central Illinois and after college moved to Chicago and worked in business for a number of years. I am a moderately gifted polymath. I have advanced degrees in science and taught at the university level for 12 years. Throughout my life, I have always been interested in personal development, mainly so I could learn how to feel more confident in my own life.
In my early 20’s, I was not confident and had some bad work experiences which caused me to have panic attacks. I ended up leaving Chicago to attend graduate school at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. After finishing there, I moved to Mobile, AL. I had a one year stint in Montgomery interning at a domestic violence shelter. But otherwise, I’ve been in Mobile ever since.
While I was working in science, I still focused on self development and learned about tapping. I offered tapping as a coach and people came to me with bigger problems. As a result, I went back to school to pursue mental health counseling. It’s been a long journey, but I have loved learning all of the different aspects of each field. I hope to share the techniques which can help you feel better and to find your own path.
A few more things about me
As a polymath, I have a LOT of interests. Some of the ones that might stand out include: being outside in nature/grounding. Science including biology, geology, and physics. Star Trek – I’m definitely a Trekkie. Dogs – the very definition of unconditional love. Baking/cooking – trying to be organic and not eat chemically laden “foods”, current baking adventures are in bread and muffin making. I relate well to Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey” and the various superhero movies which use that format for their scripts.
More About Diana: Credentials & Specializations
Educational Specialist in Counseling (Ed.S.)
Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Brainspotting training phase 1 & 2, 2021
Asylum Medicine Training Institute Certification
Advanced training at the Immigration Evaluation Training Center & Asylum Medicine Training Institute
Modern Energy Trainer 2019, Guild of Energists
Energy EFT Master Practitioner 2017, Guild of Energists
Emotional Freedom Technique Practitioner 2010, Gary Craig
Licensed Professional Counselor LPC: Alabama #4426; Florida TPMC 1055
Florida Department of Health https://flhealthsource.gov/telehealth