About Diana
Who I am
I am a registered psychotherapist who received her M.A. in Somatic Counseling with an emphasis in Body Psychotherapy from Naropa University in 2013. I started my therapy career at the Veteran Administration Medical Center in Cheyenne, WY working in the Post Combat Trauma area of the Mental Health Department. I facilitated both group and individual sessions. I held space for my clients to integrate their experiences with their present circumstances, in addition to creating opportunities for psychoeducation and teaching about trauma. Following my time at the VA, I opened my own private practice working with domestic violence, childhood trauma, relationship issues, and life after combat. In 2016 I enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Grand Canyon University. I hope to achieve my doctorate in General Psychology with an emphasis on integrating Learning, Technology, and Psychology in late 2021. My interest is in how education can help alleviate the unknowns of our own psychology as we face our lives' events. Technology folds in because it can be a tool to help teach, integrate, and facilitate relationships.
My Approach
I use an eclectic approach that is personalized to each client and grounded in a somatic perspective. I create a safe container in relationship for the client to process what is troubling them. Perception begins with the mindbody, which is inherently linked to others and the environment. That is the basis of relationship and the place where harm happened, and integration can occur. I specialize in trauma response and integration while also holding space for a variety of populations and needs.
My Journey
I started my integration journey with a psychodynamic therapist doing group and individual therapy. From there, I augmented my therapy with a body movement practice, not knowing that it was also a part of my integration process. In 2009 I was introduced to body psychotherapy and the somatic perspective. That was when I realized that my martial arts and yoga were all part of the process of understanding and untangling my trauma.
My first degree was in architecture. My drive to understand trauma in-depth led me to enroll in the Somatic Counseling Master’s program at Naropa University, which I completed in 2013. In the program, I pursued working with veterans who dealt with trauma and saw the need to integrate mindbody integration into the therapeutic relationship with these people. I worked at the VA for two years, facilitating group and individual sessions, assessing needs, and finding support for my clients. During that time, I trained and was certified in providing EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) to my clients. From there, I moved into private practice. To quote John Lennon, “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” I had just had a child and was a first-time parent. My father was dying from Parkinson’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and I felt I needed to learn more about psychology. So, I took a break to be with my family and then returned to school. I have come out on the other side feeling much more knowledgeable using my educational exploration of psychology and trauma integration. I have first-hand experience with different aspects of psychology, relational integrations, and EMDR (client and therapist). I know I can provide my clients with a safe container to explore and integrate their life events.
The not so serious stuff
When I am not knee-deep in dissertation and psychology, I like to climb and do yoga. I have a spouse, 9-year-old kiddo, a bulldog, and a bunny. We like to take walks, go hiking, backpacking, and car camping (this one is my preference, I like plumbing). I play (more like squeak) the cello and viola and love all kinds of music. I can be found listening to music most days, be it Beatles, Apocalyptica, Marcello, or Swing music. I love designing houses and refinishing spaces, so I am always looking for cool architecture and ways to improve it. I believe that giving back to our community in some way is an integral part of my spiritual practice. I volunteer at SAVA (Sexual Assault Victim Advocates) as a SART (Sexual Assault Resource Team) Mentor. I support Juniors and Seniors in high school to teach their peers about sexual assault/harassment and prevention. It is fantastic and fulfilling to watch teens of all genders hold their peers to a higher standard and knowledge about this subject.