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Diane McClain

IL LCSW 149.013411
Credentials
IL LCSW 149.013411
NPI Number
1174761506
Location
Illinois
Languages
English
Diane McClain

Accepting new clients

46 years experience | Intl Clients Welcome
Work with me

About Diane McClain

Hi
My name is Diane I have more than 30+ years of experience doing therapy. I have worked in inpatient, outpatient settings as well as family service agencies and private practice. My approach is client centered with a strong focus on solution oriented short term therapy. I am a direct communicator, but use humor often to help clarify issues and to create an intervention that is easier to remember for my clients. Life sometimes is very hard, it is our reaction to it that makes it harder or easier. We can grow and learn to make our decisions based on our values and interests so that we are not fighting with ourself over the decisions that were always ours to make. We all make choices that have far ranging consequences for ourself and others- let us make them after a careful, honest self examination- therapy can provide a safe place for this self examination. .

I have an interest in providing therapy and support for caregivers, clients with new medical challenges and families dealing with end of life issues.
I have specialized in grief and loss as well as anxiety and depression.

I am a direct communicator and have been able to ” speak truth to power” so one of my subset of experiences is coaching executives who have lost their jobs and are going through emotionally challenging times.

I am experienced at counseling cross cultural and interfaith families both at the pre-marital stage and further along in the marriage. I also have counseling experience ( as an ally) with GLBTQ+ counseling, coming out, managing the family disclosure and acceptance and straight spouse issues as well. Additionally I have provided therapy to individuals participating in polyamorous lifestyles and people post affairs.

Make no mistake, people need to work in therapy. A good therapist does not provide a NEST ( never ending supportive therapy) but rather a launching point.

So if you are ready to launch ……contact me

Licenses

LCSW
149.013411

Professional experience

  • Addictions
  • Career difficulties
  • Coaching
  • Compassion fatigue
  • Coping with life changes
  • Depression
  • Family conflicts
  • Grief
  • Intimacy-related issues
  • LGBT
  • Relationship issues
  • Self esteem
  • Stress, Anxiety
  • Trauma and abuse

Additional Focus Areas

  • Abandonment
  • Adoption and foster care
  • Attachment issues
  • Blended family issues
  • Cancer
  • Caregiver issues and stress
  • Chronic pain, illness, and disability
  • Co-morbidity
  • Codependency
  • Commitment issues
  • Communication problems
  • Control issues
  • Dependent personality
  • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
  • Divorce and separation
  • Drug and alcohol addiction
  • Emptiness
  • Family of origin issues
  • Family problems
  • Fertility issues
  • Guilt and shame
  • HIV / AIDS
  • Hospice and end-of-life counseling
  • Infidelity
  • Isolation / loneliness
  • Life purpose
  • Men's issues
  • Midlife crisis
  • Mood disorders
  • Multicultural concerns
  • Panic disorder and panic attacks
  • Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships
  • Postpartum depression
  • Pregnancy and childbirth
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  • Self-love
  • Social anxiety and phobia
  • Somatization
  • Women's issues
  • Workplace issues
  • Young adult issues

Clinical Approaches

  • Client-Centered Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)
  • Gottman Method
  • Mindfulness Therapy
  • Motivational Interviewing
  • Narrative Therapy
  • Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Somatic Therapy

Languages

  • English

15 Reviews

“I have only had a few sessions with Diane but I have found my session with her to be very helpful.”

“Diane is the gift that keeps on giving. She has been so supportive in the last nearly 2 years that I've been working with her, and she keeps not only meeting where I'm at, but helping to push for me to grow and be a better me every time we connect. I am so grateful for her expertise and her genuine heart.”

“I’ve only had a few meetings with Diane so far, but she has been a big help in getting me on the right track. I look forward to continuing working with her to reach my goals and better my life. She may not be for everybody, but she’s just what I needed.”

“Great communication”

“She is informative, direct and honest, she is also kind”

“Diane has been a wonderful resource. I love her no BS approach to issues and the way she communicates and frames her support. Definitely recommend her!”

“My therapist has been a pleasure to work with. She is highly knowledgable and works from a trauma based lens. I really appreciate how personable she is and she cuts to the chase while still showing compassion. She listens closely and provides thoughtful feedback with a dash on humor. She's also helpful when suggesting skills to work on until our next session. I've gained a lot of clairity during our sessions and feel fully supported. Thanks Diane!”

“Diane has been of great help to me as I navigate the complicated waters of living with a disabled though recovering partner and wrestle with said partner's emotional instability.”

“Made a major impact! I am in a much more peaceful place. God bless”

“She stays on topic for specific issues.”

“Diane is a fantastic therapist. She is caring and supportive, but does not shy away from the hard stuff- she is a straight talker and master of the “tough love” talk. Diane is not a therapist to help you wallow, rather she gives you the push you need to “do the work” and take back control of your life. It is empowering. Thanks Diane, for everything.”

“I value Diane’s perspective very highly; she has made a positive and very discernible material difference in my life.”

“Diane is great if you’re the type of person who doesn’t like to hear things sugar coated. Shes helped me a lot within the last couple of years.”

“I wholeheartedly recommend Diane. From the very first session, I felt genuinely heard and understood. Diane fosters a safe, nonjudgmental space where I can freely express my thoughts and feelings, making the experience incredibly therapeutic. For the past few years, I've been attending therapy with her intermittently, and she has guided me through challenging life decisions, facilitated healing from my past, and helped me gain a new, healthier perspective on myself and my actions.”

“I continue to be well supported by Diane. She is knowledgeable, supportive, and the different perspective she's able to add for different experiences and situations is truly invaluable.”

These reviews represent a few of the most recent positive reviews from the therapist's clients on BetterHelp. Some people's experience may be different.
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