Hello, my name is Diana Santantonio. I'm a licensed psychologist and have been a therapist since 1972.

After finishing my graduate training at Kent State University, I started out working in community mental health centers in Youngstown and Elyria and progressed about eight years later to private practice. I began Psych and Psych Services in 1980, and I am very proud of the large thriving practice it has become over the years. Dave Zachau, another therapist in this practice, and I are married and we have a son, Alex, who lives with his wife Wendy in Alexandria, Virginia. With Alex now grown up, Dave and I spend long hours running the practice and seeing a full caseload.

I have training and experience dealing with a variety of mental health problems, and have taken ongoing training in the Sexual Crucible Approach™ to sexual and couple's therapy. Dave and I originally attended a four day introductory workshop in Cape Cod. The next year we went to a nine day Passionate Marriage™ Couple's retreat in Breckenridge, Colorado. This not only gave us a chance to learn the process but also to experience it as a couple. The next summer we went back to Breckenridge (one of our favorite places) and received more training consisting of a six day workshop in Treatment of Desire Difficulties with the Sexual Crucible Approach™. This model of therapy was developed by Dr. David Schnarch and we have both worked on integrating it into our way of doing couple's therapy. It is an innovative, exciting and very effective approach.

Another area of clinical specialization of mine is the treatment of eating disorders. Since 1979 I have worked extensively with adolescents and adults who have anorexia, bulimia and/or obesity. I have worked as a part of numerous treatment teams addressing these very serious problems and use an eclectic approach that I have refined over the years.

I also work with people who have depression, anxiety disorders, bi-polar disorder, family problems, job stress, and chronic health problems.

When not working, I enjoy cooking (my family says I make the best soup around), reading (anything and everything), gardening, skiing, decorating (both our home and office), traveling here and abroad, and tending to my five cats. We also have a Chihuahua named Gino. When I deal with children in therapy who are nervous about being there, I tell them about Gino and show them his picture and they relax in no time. Once in awhile Gino joins me at the office and receives a lot of attention from everyone. Sometimes a client will bring a pet to therapy, and we welcome them.

The part of my job that I like the best is doing therapy. I never cease to be amazed and grateful that people are willing to share themselves with me on such an intimate and personal level. To help folks through the tough times in their lives and to watch them struggle and grow is a privilege that I never take for granted. In spite of all the stress that we mental health professionals are facing right now, I wouldn't want to be doing anything else.

I appreciate this opportunity to introduce myself to you and hope you enjoy our web page. We'll give you updates on all the therapists and what they are doing. Let us know what you think. Any suggestions are welcome.