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Hi, I am Diane
Hi, I am Diane
Everyone has a story. A story that needs to be heard because each of us has value. By sharing, we invite others in to learn and grow together. Our lives become richer. We realize that each time a person shares their own story means that we are all connected and better for it. This is why I named my private practice Connecting the Dots Counseling.
My story. Where do I start? Sometimes, we start with whatever comes to mind first. It helps to have questions to answer, so here it starts.
When did you know you wanted to be a Counselor?
When did you know you wanted to be a Counselor?
I realized that I wanted to go to graduate school in counseling after I worked with high school students in small groups regarding decision-making and communication. I absolutely loved this job and I knew I wanted to help people to learn about their thoughts and feelings.
What was your training like to become a Counselor?
What was your training like to become a Counselor?
I earned a 60-credit hour Master's degree in Counselor Education at SUNY College at Brockport. My studies involved intensive peer-to-peer interactions, a three-semester internship along with continuous research. It was exciting and I wanted more!
Where did you do your internships?
Where did you do your internships?
My first internship was counseling young adults who were undergraduate students in the college counseling center. This was inspiring to dive deep into their stories and to help them with navigating college life.
My second internship was at a high school where I had five students that I counseled on a weekly basis. These counseling sessions were recorded, evaluated and analyzed with a professor for an entire school year. Each time, I would discover another counseling skill as I worked with my professor.
What experiences helped you to realize that you wanted to open your private practice?
What experiences helped you to realize that you wanted to open your private practice?
I've worked with young adults and their parents since 1999 and everyone deals with big changes throughout their lives. I've found that the most effective way to assist is to simply listen with complete attention and to ask questions that go deeper into their background experiences. The goal is to make connections between present thoughts, feelings and behaviors and those background experiences.
There is such a need for supporting parents. This includes parents with children of all ages. I've gained a lot of insight while working with young adults. The most effective way to reach a young adult is to understand the parent. Effective parenting is not something people are born with; it is a set of skills that can be learned.
Women's issues are vast, complex and unique. So many women do not take the time to learn about what has impacted their lives. Women have so many roles over the course of a lifetime and they all seem interconnected with the essence of who we are. Taking the time to listen to ourselves can have tremendous benefits.
'Connecting the dots' can mean many things. I see it as connecting the dots or stories in our lives to make meaningful change and to have peace about who we are.
'Connecting the dots' can mean many things. I see it as connecting the dots or stories in our lives to make meaningful change and to have peace about who we are.
I look forward to listening to your story and helping you to live a more fulfilling and thriving life. Please call 734-474-5700.
I look forward to listening to your story and helping you to live a more fulfilling and thriving life. Please call 734-474-5700.
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