Meet Dr. Diane Benfield, DSW, LCSW
My times are in your hand - Psalm 31:15
Diane Benfield DSW, LCSW
Providing mental health counseling to patients with cancer and caregivers in Stuart, Florida
Hello! I am so glad you found your way to my website!
If we haven’t met yet, I am Diane Benfield. I’m a clinical social worker, dog lover, roller-skater, dinner party fanatic, and follower of Jesus Christ. I love providing psychotherapy to people affected by cancer, and I especially love witnessing the overcoming of adversity. I am captivated by brave stories of people making the best of difficult situations.
I have unequivocal respect for your differences of beliefs or having no beliefs at all. You are welcome here no matter what. In every circumstance, I meet you exactly where you are. I have no agenda other than to help you work through your pain and reach for support, acceptance and healing. Only if Christian counseling is specifically requested, will I work with you from that frame.
I operate a small fully virtual private practice because it allows patients to meet with me from the comfort, convenience, and safety of their own homes. And I love spending all day every day with my elderly dog right next to me.
I discovered clinical social work in my early 40’s. I fell in love with marveling at the complexity of the human condition, the intricacies of personality, the profound effect our childhood experiences and early attachments have on relationships, and the value of finding beauty in the ashes of life’s suffering. I devote my life, my education, and my never-ending training to helping others transform their suffering into meaningful experiences, enjoy more fulfilling relationships, and discover strength and joy they never knew they had.
I am determined to help people affected by cancer:
EXPLORE suffering in a safe and warm therapeutic relationship
DISCOVER and UNCOVER unexpected emotional strength, practical support, and ways of coping
DEVELOP personal and relational growth, deepen spiritual experiences, and reach for life-giving connection to others
CULTIVATE gratitude for each new day, hope for tomorrow, peace of mind, acceptance of what cannot be changed, and new meaning and purpose in life
I earned a BA in Hospitality Management from Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland (1992) and an MSW from Barry University (2011). I worked in the field of substance abuse treatment for 8 years. In 2021, I graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Doctor of Social Work.
My dissertation explored the phenomenon of Post Traumatic Growth. This optimistic and healing framework perfectly describes what I see in my cancer patients - the paradoxical, unexpected, and unmistakable growth that follows an earth-shattering, life-changing trauma. I witnessed this transformation routinely during my work with cancer patients at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.
The predominant form of therapy I practice is called Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP). This healing framework is an emotions-focused, experiential and deeply relational model rooted in attachment theory. Healing starts in the very first session as the warm and attuned therapeutic relationship is co-created. I am actively emotionally engaged with clients. I focus on building trust and safety and accompanying clients in their emotional experiences to undo unbearable aloneness. We face the difficult and beautiful things together.
I am a Level 2 AEDP practitioner. I am currently seeking clients who will graciously allow me to record our sessions to help me improve my skills toward becoming a level 3 therapist under the direct supervision of a certified AEDP master clinician.
I am licensed to practice anywhere in Florida (SW#11899), North Carolina (C014006), and in the state of Washington (LW# 61192043).
