Anne Diamond, MFT - Santa Barbara Counselor

07/17/2025

Here's my little hack for doing hard things:
I say to myself, 'do yourself a favor' by starting the task, which often leads to accomplishing more than I set out to do. This replaces the negative feeling of dread with that good feeling of accomplishment. You can boost this by "forwarding warding" to a visualization of a positive outcome.

07/06/2025

Self encouragement works so much better than beating yourself up, a lesson many of us have to be reminded of everyday. I love the phrase, "I'll do myself a favor by doing/completing xyz", and "fast-forwarding" in my mind to how I will feel when I'm successful or finished.

While feelings are good information, feelings are not facts. A good question for ourselves when we feel down about something is, "is is really true that xyz?". Often the reality is not nearly so dark and heavy as we imagine.

Wishing you a little sparkle in your thoughts and warmth in your heart.😊

04/18/2025

Thank you for visiting my page!

I use a highly effective blend of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Somatic work to help you not only identify and change your distorted thinking, but help you tap into to body's responses to stress, anxiety and negative behavior patterns.

And, just as important, I guide you to discover, utilize and grow your strengths and inner resources.

In the very session I will deeply listen to you and make sure I understand you and what you bring to the table. I aim to establish a trusting relationship that invites your comfort and a feeling of being cared for. I endeavor to provide you with a shift and/or strategy to leave with to apply to your life.

In this way therapy can be brief whenever possible, will last and make a difference in your life.

For more information, please call me at 805-637-5128 or email me at anne@annediamond4clarity.com.

Warmly,
Anne

12/10/2024

08/25/2024

An incisive quote from DW Winnicott, English MD and Psychoanalyst:

"A sign of health in the mind is the ability of one individual to enter imaginatively and yet accurately into the thoughts and feelings and hopes and fears of another person; also to allow the other person to do the same to us."

08/17/2024

Sharing this fun interview with magnificent Marne Semick on her Morning Show.

Thoughts Therapy, Yoga, and lessons I've learned on my journey. Please consider sharing with anyone who might be interested.

Visit her website: www.marnesemick.com

05/20/2024

I think it is well known that perfectionism and black and white thinking patterns create barriers to attaining goals. I love this comic that shows the joy of little triumphs.

My personal hack is to "do myself a favor" and go out for that little walk, or complete one step towards a goal (prepping a canvas, writing for 10 minutes, eg)and reminding myself that I always feel good about completing daunting tasks later.

Evidence shows that taking a little step increases the odds that you take further steps or repeat the behavior until it becomes a positive pattern.

06/18/2023

Thinking about this past week, I asked myself, "What have I said to myself a lot?" I've been painting and I frequently remind myself to step back. That is, back up and look at the whole canvas from a distance in to check proportions, balance light and dark, see the composition as a whole. If I don't do this frequently, the consequence may focusing on one area or detail so much that it becomes distorted in relation to the whole.

Mentally stepping back, or panning out, is a powerful strategy to relieve anxiety, depression and interpersonal conflict. Focusing on one interaction, thought feeling, or disappointment, etc., can amplify fear, anger, and sadness and send us into an emotional spin.

This is not always easy. Sometimes another person can help us see what we can't. As a therapist I help people develop this tool and use it when appropriate, and support clients in discovering new possibilities that become available. Hypnosis works to enhance this process.

This is not to be used to dismiss powerful feelings that are informative, for instance when it may time to leave a relationship. Or grief, when feeling the depth of loss is a part of the human experience.

My over 20 years as experience and training as a therapist help you in this process.