Diana Guest is a licensed marriage family therapist and a certified bioenergetic therapist, who has been licensed since 1993. She opened her private practice here in 1997 while serving as the clinical director for the Center for Community Solutions. In 2000 she left CCS to devote her full attention to private practice.

“I had a personal experience with bioenergetic therapy that changed my life in many ways,” Guest said.

In 1989, she went back to school and received her masters’ degree in clinical psychology and eventually her license as an MFT. She also completed the four years of additional training to become a certified bioenergetic therapist.

Guest provides psychotherapy for individuals and couples. “My focus with individuals is to help them explore those hidden parts of themselves that are sabotaging their life, what is getting in the way of them having the kind of life they want,” she said.

Guest’s areas of expertise include sexuality and intimacy.

“I love working with couples to enhance and deepen their relationship,” she said. Using a model called IMAGO Relationship therapy she facilitates communication and understanding of how childhood wounds can influence current relationships.

Additionally, Guest leads groups, trainings and gives workshops to the general public. Her next workshop is coming up April 21.

Prior to being a psychotherapist, Guest was in the field of interior design. She is originally from Nebraska and moved to California in 1986 by way of Colorado and Texas. She is married and has a dog.

A member of the Greater San Diego Business Association, Guest has supported gay rights in various forms for 30 years. “I support gay/lesbian owned businesses whenever possible,” she said. “I do fundraising for AIDS research such as the AIDS Walk in October. I also send emails and letters to my congressional representatives, and state Assemblymembers in support of gay rights. Approximately 40 percent of my practice is with the GLBT population.”