Why I Became a Therapist

My therapeutic lens is influenced significantly by my own life experiences. My consciousness was raised considerably when I sought therapy as a young adult to overcome an eating disorder in the late 1980s.

My eating disorder recovery was just a beginning. It opened up my own personal consciousness and internal drive to unearth and understand not only what happened to me in my early upbringing, but to who I truly am and my purpose in the world. It was the impetus to a lifelong pursuit of personal growth.

During my recovery, I also awoke to the appalling degradation of the environment and the historical abuse of indigenous people in our country. In 1992, I earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies from San Jose State University, answering my inner drive to “save the world!”.

For the next 20 years I worked in project management on environmental-related projects in Hawaii and California, in both the public and private sectors, while dabbling in the healing arts on the side.

I realize now that my passion for the environment, to “save the world”, was really a spiritual invitation to heal my inner world, my psyche, my soul.

Part of me always knew I wanted to be a therapist. My environmental work was rewarding, but what I really enjoyed was connecting with other people, listening to their stories and supporting them in pursuing health and happiness.

Also, I had some amazing therapists who helped me change my life, and I realized I wanted to do for others what they had done for me.

But a few things had to be done first.

More work in the environmental field in California.
Marrying my husband.
Relocating to Europe for a few years.
Traveling the world.
Re-discovering myself.
Individuating.
Redeciding…..

And now here I am! A licensed marriage and family therapist! Living in Santa Cruz, California with my husband and kitty Sophie.

Ready for my next chapter, and ready to support you in yours.

I am a human being first (with all the humility and messiness that goes with that.) a yogini, cosmic seeker, environmental warrior, LGBTQ ally, personal growth junkie, world adventurer, practicing astrologer, friend, wife, daughter, sister, writer, and mommy to my beloved kitty Sophie.

My road to licensure was in itself a life-changing journey, with a total of 6 years dedicated to my MA degree and early clinical work! During this time, I was fortunate to work at both Almaden Valley Counseling Service (AVCS) and Silicon Valley DBT (SVDBT), both located in San Jose, CA.

At AVCS, I worked with adults, couples and families and off-site as a school counselor at Schallenberger Elementary, Lakeside Elementary, Castillero Middle School and Pioneer High School. In all school settings, I worked with children and adolescents (too many to count!) in both individual and group therapy with issues such as anxiety, emotional regulation, peer and social issues, and self-harm.

From 2019 to 2022, I worked as a DBT Clinician at Silicon Valley DBT with adolescents and their families on issues such as suicidal ideation, self-harm, mindfulness, distress tolerance and emotional regulation. Also, I co-led DBT skills groups for adults and families.

In 2021, I started my own private practice, Diane Moore Therapy, something that’s always been my lifelong dream. In private practice my clinical focus has shifted away from working with teens, to young adults (18+), adults, couples, parents and adult families (see more under Services and Fees).