ABOUT

Life can be hard, especially when it’s full of traumatic events and life transitions. I provide therapy to millennial individuals and couples, equipping them with tools they can use to reach their personal and relational goals, while navigating life adjustments and its inevitable challenges.

I help millennials heal from difficulties related to life transitions, conflicts in their relationships, stress management, interpersonal trauma, and so much more.

My work as a mental health clinician is centered on providing culturally sensitive care by identifying your strengths, validating your experiences, building your mindfulness, and collaboratively working with you to achieve your therapeutic goals.

As your therapist, I can help you discover patterns in your relationships, overcome difficult experiences, distinguish the differences between healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms, implement healthy boundaries, and explore the dynamics that are interfering with your health and well-being. In our work together, we can take a deeper look into what you need to feel more satisfied, emotionally safe during life transitions and happier in your relationships with others as well as your relationship with yourself.

I specialize in treating those experiencing distressing symptoms of anxiety and depression due to relationship issues, high stress work environments and difficulty coping with life transitions (trauma, marriage, divorce, breakups, perinatal, postpartum, relocation, medical diagnosis, career changes, etc.)

I utilize a variety of therapeutic approaches that explore the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in order to support clients as they enhance their overall function in life and relationships. I am a solution focused therapist, with a passion for helping my clients navigate the challenges of life. If you’re looking for a therapist that will be attentive to your needs, yet challenge you to take some risks, and step outside of your comfort zone, then we may be a great match! Let’s talk!

Diera A Parham-Carruthers is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Washington, D.C; she earned her Associates in Health Sciences, her Bachelors in Psychology at North Carolina State University, and continued her education at Walden University to complete her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Crisis and Trauma in 2016 while serving in the United States Armed Forces for 8 years. She earned her National Certification in Counseling (NCC) in 2016. She has been a Resident in Counseling (RIC) in Virginia since 2017. She has earned her certifications as sexual offender treatment provider (CSOTP, 2019), telemental health clinician (CTMC, 2020), clinical trauma adolescent provider (CTAP, 2020). She has become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Washington, D.C in 2020. She served in mental health and health sciences in multiple settings for over 10-years.

Diera has been a part of Her Therapy Space team since 2020 as a Licensed Mental Health Clinician. Prior to coming to Her Therapy Space, Diera worked as a therapist at a 24 hour residential psychiatric facility for almost 2 years; intensive in home counselor for a 1 ½ year; Clinical Coordinator and back up forensic interviewer for about 1 ½ year; foster care case manager for 3 ½ year; laboratory technician for 8 years in the United Armed Services. During her practicum and internship, she was an outpatient therapist for a about a year that addressed multiple areas of mental health.

She is knowledgeable and skilled with addressing parents (18 years old and up) and children (0 to 17 years old) with specific DSM diagnosis of addiction, substance-related disorders & alcoholism, major depressive disorder, problematic sexualized behaviors, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, trauma & stress-related disorders, reactive attachment disorder, adjustment disorder, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, social anxiety, impulse control disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, autism, ADHD, enuresis, and encopresis.

Diera has a straightforward and to the point approach to therapy. She encompasses evidence-based techniques in her sessions and utilizes an integrative therapeutic approach when working with clients.

My journey first started with obtaining a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology at University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). I proudly trained as a clinician at Trinity Washington University, gained experience as an intern at St. Elizabeths Hospital in D.C., and gained post-graduate experience at Johns Hopkins Children’s Mental Health Center. I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland and in Washington, D.C. Also, I am experienced in providing therapy to adolescents, young adults, adults, and family using creative approaches tailored to each individual. I pride myself in being multiculturally sensitive, a kink-affirming therapist, and an LGBTQ+ advocate. You do not need to specifically discuss these topics in therapy, however it is refreshing to know that there will be no burden of having to inform me on these topics.

I specialize in using Expressive Arts Therapy which involves using a mix of media such as music, writing, film, books/stories, art, dance/movement, games, play, and other media to conduct therapy and connect with clients. Ultimately my style will be flexible and tailored to the unique needs of the individuals I serve. My specialty areas include trauma healing, anxiety, depression, life stressors & transitions, increasing mindfulness, self-esteem, self-identity, as well as relationship and communication difficulties.

I could not imagine having a more meaningful career than being a passionate, personal, life advocate for you—in other words, a therapist! I am a strong believer in therapy being a collaborative, healing, and restorative experience. I welcome the unique qualities that make up each individual and believe that these “unusual” qualities are hidden strengths that can be honed to navigate life in a healthy, manageable way. I cherish each therapeutic connection that I make with my clients and I work to be a mirror in which they can safely reflect and gain insight into their personal experiences. Carl Jung says it best, “The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no one recipe for living that suits all cases.” This is the most basic understanding that I try to keep in mind as a mental health clinician.

Reach out and see if we would make a great fit!