Meet Diana Frances Smith, MS, RMFTI

How clients describe me: Warm, direct, down-to-earth, collaborative

Specialties: Couples therapy, relationship patterns, attachment issues, anxiety, navigating life transitions, family conflict

Clinical approach: Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT)DBT, Relational, Psychodynamic, Culturally Humble, LGBTQ+ Affirming

My ideal clients: I work best with couples and individuals who are ready to examine their patterns and how they show up in life in order to make change.

My clients are often capable and highly successful in many areas, yet feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected within themselves or their closest relationships. They come to therapy prepared to do more than talk—they are willing to practice new ways of responding between sessions and bring what we uncover into everyday life.

For each of my clients, I bring warmth, honesty, genuine curiosity, and a wealth of life experience into the therapy room. Together, we’ll slow things down, look beneath the surface patterns keeping you stuck, and reconnect with the parts of yourself that may have been overlooked, silenced, or difficult to reach.

How I Approach Therapy

I use an integrative approach, pulling from evidence-based systemic models, based on what each clients needs in the moment. I introduce Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills with all clients to help them develop self-awareness, regulate emotions, and make effective choices.

When working with couples, I primarily use Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT). EFT is one of the most rigorously validated, evidence-based approaches for helping couples break painful patterns and build a stronger emotional connection. About 70% of distressed couples who engaged in EFCT make a full recovery and about 90% experience significant improvement.

I

Ten Random Things About Diana

  1. I love a well-planned yet flexible adventure that hits all my favorite experiences: nature, history, culture, food, and art!

  2. I love pineapple on my pizza.

  3. I’m a first-generation college graduate with an insatiable thirst for learning.

  4. I grew up within a mile of my husband, but we didn’t meet until taught at the same middle school in our twenties. We went to the same elementary, middle, + high school, and we even had mutual friends. We both earned English degrees from the same small liberal arts college, and we’re only two years apart.

  5. I’m the proud mother of two wonderfully adventurous, handsome, humorous, and interesting young men who impress me with their ability to balance family, friendship, and fun with hard work and discipline.

  6. I ran the Marine Corps Marathon in 2005.

  7. I LOVE magic and mentalism! Watching a well-skilled magician creates a child-like wonder that is intoxicating!

  8. Skincare is one of my favorite forms of self-care.

  9. I’m pretty sappy when it comes to accomplishment; I can cry witnessing an athlete take a hard-fought win or a parent watching their child graduate.

  10. I love the outdoors! Whether I’m on the Florida coast, hiking a mountainous trail, hitting the slopes, or in my garden, there’s nothing quite as grounding as being in nature.