I've been seeing Dyane Lemos since 2001, not long after I moved to San Diego. At this point I'm one of her oldest patients -- well, most longstanding, shall I say. I am not old! I am not old! I am not old!
There's no one in the world who knows me better than Dyane, but isn't that what a therapist is for? She takes the time to listen. Instead of filling the air with her own voice just to avoid silence, she doesn't say anything until I've somehow got my jumble of words out of my mouth. She listens closely because she always responds with a comment or question totally on-point, and will even remind me of something I had said 15 minutes earlier.
Before I started seeing her, I had seen four other psychotherapists, both here in San Diego and elsewhere. They all had something about them that was just WRONG. One was homophobic and actually avoided therapy, preferring to talk about my car instead. Another convinced me that my mother was to blame for everything wrong in my life, leaving me very angry. A third discouraged me from following my dreams: "Be realistic. Don't set yourself up for failure," she would say. The fourth was wasn't wrong -- but wasn't right, either.
With Dyane, I have never questioned her competency. She has only my best interest in mind. When I have needed her, she has really gone out on a limb to help me more than once.
Yet despite how supportive and nurturing Dyane can be as a therapist, she knows exactly when to use good ol' Skita Method -- Swift Kick in the Ass. When I need to be pushed, she pushes. And when I don't, she doesn't, and instead offers support and empathy.
As others have stated, Dyane is completely non-judgmental. She has defied my expectations in that regard. Many people say "I won't judge you", but she really means it and upholds that promise. At times we have discussed some touchy things, but she has not once shied away from that or made me feel shame or guilt as a result of those things.
If you're curious about her methodology, she is eclectic with a strong psychodynamic focus. Those of you who like the cognitive-behavioral approach with homework, examining dysfunctional thought processes and the cycle of action to thought to reaction and back again will find that Dyane may not be the best fit. That being said, she does tailor her approach for each individual, so those who work better with that type of therapy can still benefit from seeing Dyane. Above all, she is pragmatic and down-to-earth.
A personal referral -- the whole foundation of Yelp -- is the best recommendation. I have zero reservation about recommending Dyane. If I did, I wouldn't be seeing her year after year! read more