Are you treating yourself like a diagnosis, or like a whole person? What becomes possible when you create safety before trying to create change? Could the way you begin your morning shape the way you experience the rest of your day?
In this podcast episode, Jennifer Froemel discusses how to move through fear and remember that you are not your diagnosis with Diana S. Rice.
Meet Diana S. Rice
Diana S. Rice, LMHC, CIMHP, QS is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, and founder of Through the Valley Therapy, a Florida-based telehealth practice. With over 20 years of experience in counseling, education, and crisis intervention, Diana specializes in helping adults navigate anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, faith transitions, identity challenges, and emotional healing.
Drawing from evidence-based and holistic approaches, including CBT, trauma-informed care, and integrative mental health practices, Diana helps clients build resilience, reconnect with their authentic selves, and create meaningful change. She is also the host of The Holistic Counselor Podcast, where she explores the intersection of mental health, wellness, faith, and personal growth.
Visit Diana’s website and connect on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
In This Podcast:
- How to move through fear
- You are not the diagnosis
- A tip for a great day: win the morning
How to move through fear
Diana Rice likes to use tools made from a combined approach, consisting of:
- Internal family systems
- Unconditional positive regard
- Cognitive behavioral therapy to challenge the thoughts
We gather information from theories … I know those theories helped me. Of course, my faith is really important, but I work with people from all walks of life … So I know that every human has their own biology, psychology, and theology, and so I try to meet them where they are.
Diana Rice
First and foremost, Diana works with her clients to relax their nervous systems first and get into a regulated rest-and-digest phase, and only then do they begin this work.
It is difficult to challenge fear and move through limiting narratives when the body and mind are still dysregulated.
Honestly, most people are coming to us because they never had safety … and they were never able to trust, and that’s a big responsibility for us therapists.
Diana Rice
You are not the diagnosis
As Diana explains, you are not anxiety itself.
For example, anxiety may be something that you experience, and it is a signal and a symptom of a deeper situation that needs your attention to be released.
It’s the symptom, not the diagnosis, even though we have to diagnose so we can put it in the system to get the help you need, so it’s understanding that the label is not who you are. The label is the vocabulary to get you the help you actually need to move from it, grow from it, and become resilient.
Diana Rice
A tip for a great day: win the morning
Diana’s best tip to maintain your mind, body, and spirit and keep yourself regulated through an ever-changing world is to prioritize and protect your morning routine.
Do whatever makes you feel rested, recharged, and ready for the day ahead of you.
For Diana, that looks like:
- Spending some time intentionally reading her bible
- Doing some stretches immediately after waking
- Drinking a glass of water with lemon
It’s important to start your own healing systems daily so you can function in this life.
Diana Rice
RESOURCES MENTIONED AND USEFUL LINKS
Visit Diana’s website and connect on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Donate to Jennifer Froemel’s Lifesaving Work in Nepal
Practice of the Practice Network
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CONNECT WITH ME
Visit The Innovative Counselling Partners Practice Website and connect on Facebook.
ABOUT THE FEAR OF CHANGE PODCAST
Change can be scary, but it doesn’t have to be. The Fear of Change podcast is all about helping you embrace change and live a more fulfilling life. Hosted by Jennifer Froemel, LCPC, a therapist with nearly 30 years of experience, we cover topics like mental wellness, holistic health, and improving relationships.
Jennifer’s down-to-earth approach makes it easy to understand why we fear change and how to move past those fears. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, relationship issues, or just feeling stuck, there’s something here for you.
