Therapist Diane McClain Photo

Diane McClain, LCSW

Stress, Anxiety Relationships Grief Coping with life changes Coaching
Video Messaging

About me

Hi
My name is Diane I have more than 30+ years of experience doing therapy. I have worked in inpatient, outpatient settings as well as family service agencies and private practice. My approach is client centered with a strong focus on solution oriented short term therapy. I am a direct communicator, but use humor often to help clarify issues and to create an intervention that is easier to remember for my clients. Life sometimes is very hard, it is our reaction to it that makes it harder or easier. We can grow and learn to make our decisions based on our values and interests so that we are not fighting with ourself over the decisions that were always ours to make. We all make choices that have far ranging consequences for ourself and others- let us make them after a careful, honest self examination- therapy can provide a safe place for this self examination. .

I have an interest in providing therapy and support for caregivers, clients with new medical challenges and families dealing with end of life issues.
I have specialized in grief and loss as well as anxiety and depression.

I am a direct communicator and have been able to " speak truth to power" so one of my subset of experiences is coaching executives who have lost their jobs and are going through emotionally challenging times.

I am experienced at counseling cross cultural and interfaith families both at the pre-marital stage and further along in the marriage. I also have counseling experience ( as an ally) with GLBTQ+ counseling, coming out, managing the family disclosure and acceptance and straight spouse issues as well. Additionally I have provided therapy to individuals participating in polyamorous lifestyles and people post affairs.

Make no mistake, people need to work in therapy. A good therapist does not provide a NEST ( never ending supportive therapy) but rather a launching point.

So if you are ready to launch ......contact me

Professional experience

46 yrs in practice
Stress, Anxiety Relationships Grief Coping with life changes Coaching

Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Depression, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Attachment issues, Blended family issues, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dependent personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Divorce and separation, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fertility issues, Guilt and shame, HIV / AIDS, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Postpartum depression, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young adult issues

Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Gottman Method, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy

Services offered

Video
Messaging

License information

IL LCSW 149.013411

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Diane McClain. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

I have only had a few sessions with Diane but I have found my session with her to be very helpful.

Written on May 14, 2026 after therapy with Diane for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and compassion fatigue

Diane is the gift that keeps on giving. She has been so supportive in the last nearly 2 years that I've been working with her, and she keeps not only meeting where I'm at, but helping to push for me to grow and be a better me every time we connect. I am so grateful for her expertise and her genuine heart.

Written on May 08, 2026 after therapy with Diane for 1 year and 10 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem

I’ve only had a few meetings with Diane so far, but she has been a big help in getting me on the right track. I look forward to continuing working with her to reach my goals and better my life. She may not be for everybody, but she’s just what I needed.

Written on Dec 27, 2025 after therapy with Diane for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and adhd

Great communication

Written on Dec 06, 2025 after therapy with Diane for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, coping with life changes, and coaching

She is informative, direct and honest, she is also kind

Written on Dec 01, 2025 after therapy with Diane for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching

Diane has been a wonderful resource. I love her no BS approach to issues and the way she communicates and frames her support. Definitely recommend her!

Written on Oct 15, 2025 after therapy with Diane for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, compassion fatigue, and adhd