Dyane Lemos, PhD

Had a wonderful experience with Dr. Dyane Lemos. She is professional, kind and caring doctor. I highly recommend her to anyone who is looking for help.

I have been seeing Dyane for just under nine years now. Like others have stated, I have seen a lot of bad therapist before her. I have suffered from depression and past trauma. I often worry what I will do if Dyane ever retires or moves. She has helped me more than anybody has in my life. She is caring and understanding. She helps you work through your thoughts and pain. She is non-​judgmental and kind. Without her help, I probably would not be here today. Dyane saved me from myself and my past. I am so appreciative for her. She wants to know your story and what makes you, well– you, to me that is priceless. She is gental and nurturing and makes me feel safe in a world that has been very unsafe to me. If you are looking for a therapist, you could not find a better one.

I’ve been seeing Dyane for over 10 years. She is one of the most compassionate and caring people I know. She has a way of helping me when I am at my lowest. I know I can trust Dyane. I know she genuinely cares and will take the time to listen. She has helped me so much to get through so many, many trying times. Times that I thought were impossible to get through. Dyane is sensitive and caring to all needs and understands. I feel I can tell her anything. I highly recommend her. You will not be disappointed. She is professional yet has a big heart which is sometimes hard to find these days.

I’ve been seeing Dyane Lemos since 2001, not long after I moved to San Diego. At this point I’m one of her oldest patients — well, most longstanding, shall I say. I am not old! I am not old! I am not old!
There’s no one in the world who knows me better than Dyane, but isn’t that what a therapist is for? She takes the time to listen. Instead of filling the air with her own voice just to avoid silence, she doesn’t say anything until I’ve somehow got my jumble of words out of my mouth. She listens closely because she always responds with a comment or question totally on-​point, and will even remind me of something I had said 15 minutes earlier.
Before I started seeing her, I had seen four other psychotherapists, both here in San Diego and elsewhere. They all had something about them that was just WRONG. One was homophobic and actually avoided therapy, preferring to talk about my car instead. Another convinced me that my mother was to blame for everything wrong in my life, leaving me very angry. A third discouraged me from following my dreams: «Be realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure,» she would say. The fourth was wasn’t wrong — but wasn’t right, either.
With Dyane, I have never questioned her competency. She has only my best interest in mind. When I have needed her, she has really gone out on a limb to help me more than once.
Yet despite how supportive and nurturing Dyane can be as a therapist, she knows exactly when to use good ol’ Skita Method — Swift Kick in the Ass. When I need to be pushed, she pushes. And when I don’t, she doesn’t, and instead offers support and empathy.
As others have stated, Dyane is completely non-​judgmental. She has defied my expectations in that regard. Many people say «I won’t judge you», but she really means it and upholds that promise. At times we have discussed some touchy things, but she has not once shied away from that or made me feel shame or guilt as a result of those things.
If you’re curious about her methodology, she is eclectic with a strong psychodynamic focus. Those of you who like the cognitive-​behavioral approach with homework, examining dysfunctional thought processes and the cycle of action to thought to reaction and back again will find that Dyane may not be the best fit. That being said, she does tailor her approach for each individual, so those who work better with that type of therapy can still benefit from seeing Dyane. Above all, she is pragmatic and down-​to-​earth.
A personal referral — the whole foundation of Unilocal — is the best recommendation. I have zero reservation about recommending Dyane. If I did, I wouldn’t be seeing her year after year!