About Me


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Dr. Diane R. Gehart has been a psychotherapist for over 15 years and training people to become therapists for 10 years. She is currently an Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy at California State University, Northridge. She is also a Faculty Member at the Marburg Institute for Collaborative Studies in Germany, a post-graduate training program in systemic and postmodern psychotherapies, and an Associate of the Taos Institute, a collaborative of professionals from diverse disciplines specializing in social constructionist practices. She co-authored Theory-Based Treatment Planning for Marriage and Family Therapists (2003), and co-edited with Harlene Anderson, Collaborative Therapy: Conversations and Relationships that Make a Difference (2006). She is an internationally sought after speaker, having given over 100 workshops to professional and general audiences. She is on the editorial review boards for several academic journals as well as community service boards related to child sexual abuse. She is an active leader in the field and has served on numerous state and national boards in the field of family therapy.

Clinical Specialties

Dr. Gehart presently maintains a private practice in Thousand Oaks, California. She uses a collaborative, strength-based approach, working with clients to identify useful ways to discuss and resolve their concerns. She has a refreshingly warm and down-to-earth presence that makes her easy to talk to.

Her training is extensive, allowing her to provide a wide range of clinical issues, including couples issues, family concerns, child and teen problems, sexual abuse, physical abuse, substance abuse, depression, anxiety, divorce, and remarriage. In addition, she is able to provide training in mindfulness and stress reduction as well as integrate spirituality into psychotherapy for clients who are interested in doing so. She is an Approved Supervisor and Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.


Publications
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Degrees

Ph.D., Distinguished Graduate, Counseling, Marriage & Family Therapy Specialization, 1997 St. Mary's, University, San Antonio, Texas. Doctoral program accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Marriage and Family Therapy Education. Dissertation: Client and Therapist Perspectives of Change in Collaborative Language Systems: An Interpretive Ethnography. Internship: Counseling Center, University of Texas, San Antonio. Externship: Collaborative Narratives: Postmodern Theory and Practice, 1995-1996, Houston Galveston Institute, Texas.

M. A., Distinguished Graduate, Mental Health Counseling, 1994, St. Mary's University, San Antonio, Texas.

B. A., Magna Cum Laude, Majors: Psychology and East Asian Studies (Chinese emphasis), 1992, College of William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia.

Professional Licenses and Certifications

Approved Supervisor & Clinical Member, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, California #35626
Licensed Professional Counselor, Texas #14071 (inactive status)

Related Links

American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Official Website for information about the profession of marriage and family therapy.

Marburger Institut für C-Studien, Marburg, Germany
Post-graduate training in systemic and postmodern therapies in Marburg, Germany. Dr. Gehart teaches regularly at their Summer Academy each year.

Taos Institute
A collaborative of professionals from diverse disciplines, including business, mental health, and education, developing and implementing social constructionist practices.