- Stress and anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
About Diane
Diane Hicks Brown is a Virginia-licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 38 years of experience. She works with people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. She also focuses on issues such as abandonment, attachment difficulties, control struggles, loneliness, mood concerns, self-love, social anxiety and phobia, and workplace stress.
Diane uses straightforward conversation to help clients identify what feels most difficult right now. Sessions tend to focus on practical steps and clearer thinking rather than lengthy theory. She listens for patterns that keep problems repeating and helps people try new ways of handling those moments.
Her approach is adaptable to each person's situation. She and the client map out goals together and check progress along the way. When someone struggles with social anxiety or fear of speaking up, Diane will work on concrete strategies to reduce avoidance and build confidence in achievable steps.
Over decades in practice she has guided people through recovery from trauma, shifts in mood, and the stress that comes with work and relationships. Diane draws on what has helped others in similar situations and offers direct feedback and problem-solving during sessions. The focus is on small, manageable changes that fit into everyday life.
To begin, clients are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire before scheduling a first session. That intake helps set priorities and gives Diane a sense of immediate concerns to address in early meetings.
How therapeutic methods translate to online sessions
Evidence-based techniques often used for anxiety and trauma include cognitive-behavioral strategies and skills training. Cognitive-behavioral work helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and test them with small behavioral experiments to reduce avoidance. Skills training focuses on practical tools such as breathing, grounding, and step-by-step exposure to feared situations, which can help with social anxiety and phobic reactions.Another helpful approach is relational work that looks at attachment and patterns in relationships. This involves noticing interaction habits and practicing new responses in day-to-day situations. Diane collaborates with each person to choose approaches that fit their goals and comfort level rather than prescribing a single method up front.
Finding the right mix of techniques is part of therapy. Diane will review needs, preferences, and progress with the client and adjust methods over time. That collaborative process helps keep sessions relevant and focused on achievable steps.
The biography does not list specific online formats, so confirm current session options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, allow shorter check-in meetings when needed, and remove travel time. Licensed professionals can adapt exposure exercises and skills practice to remote work while helping clients build routines that transfer to everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
38+ years
Listed in
Virginia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
Diane works with stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem difficulties, and depression. She also focuses on social anxiety and phobia and workplace-related stress.
What is her approach in sessions?
She uses plain conversation and practical steps to address problems. Sessions focus on identifying patterns, trying concrete strategies, and tracking progress.
How much experience does she have?
She has 38 years of professional experience as a clinician. That background includes work with mood concerns and trauma recovery.
What credentials and region apply?
She is an LCSW licensed in Virginia and practices from that state. The credential shown is LCSW.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are offered?
The original biography does not specify session formats. Confirm the current session options before booking to know whether sessions are remote or in person.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Confirm specific pricing during the intake process.
How do I begin if I want a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. That process helps set initial goals for the work.