Meet Diane!

Dr. Diane Duan (she/her) is a clinical psychologist providing individual and couples therapy remotely throughout NY State and in person in Manhattan. She specializes in treating depression, anxiety, complex trauma, and adult attachment disorders. She is passionate about working with alternative lifestyles and the LGBTQIA+ population. Dr. Duan helps clients heal childhood attachment wounds, navigate life transitions, and resolve interpersonal challenges. Additionally, she has expertise in working with the kink/BDSM, ethically non-monogamous, and polyamorous communities.

Dr. Duan is formally trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS; Level 2) and Intimacy From the Inside Out (IFIO). IFS is a modality that recognizes individuals as a system of parts that each play a role in their relationship with themselves and with others. IFIO is the specific application of IFS for relationship and couples therapy. Learn more about IFS here.

In addition to IFS, Dr. Duan integrates relational, psychodynamic, somatic, and attachment-based approaches in her work with clients. In her work with couples, Dr. Duan draws primarily from IFS and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). EFT is an approach to couples therapy founded on attachment research and aims to facilitate a more secure bond between partners. Above all, Dr. Duan prioritizes adapting her approach to meet the specific needs of diverse relationship structures. 

Dr. Duan aims to foster a compassionate, non-judgmental and collaborative space where all parts are welcome, and clients feel safe to explore their internal and external worlds. Through somatic exercises, Dr. Duan works with the client to unlock their strengths and internal wisdom. Clients gain an embodied understanding of the thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are limiting their ability to live an authentic and fulfilling life. This embodied understanding, or “felt sense,” guides them toward integrating practices that foster growth, healing, and meaningful change. 

Dr. Duan received a BA in Psychology from NYU and proceeded to complete her doctoral education in Clinical Psychology at William James College. She completed her post-doctoral internship at Williamsburg Therapy Group. Her doctoral research focused on the experiences of polyamorous individuals in the months following the legal recognition of multiple domestic partnerships in Massachusetts. Prior to moving to NYC for her post-doctoral position, Dr. Duan completed a clinical internship at LifeWorks Psychotherapy Center in Chicago, a group practice specializing in working with the LGBTQIA+, kink/BDSM, and ethically non-monogamous/polyamorous communities. Other previous clinical training experiences include working with individuals, couples, families, and groups at college counseling centers and community mental health clinics.