Dr. Diana M. Rothermel

Clinical Psychologist

Hi, I'm Dr. Diana M. Rothermel — but most people just call me Dr. Diana. I bring my lived experience,

clinical expertise, and deep compassion into every room I'm in.

My Journey

I grew up in a tiny town in eastern Iowa where everyone knew everyone. Actually! After high school, I moved across the state for college, then landed in the Chicagoland area for graduate school.

Here's the twist: I hated school. That's right. I didn't know I had ADHD until graduate school. Before that, I just assumed I hated school because it moved too slowly. Turns out, I'm not lazy or unmotivated—I'm just someone whose brain moves at warp speed and doesn't love being boxed into a classroom. Once I understood that, everything changed.

Despite that, I pushed forward. Only my high school guidance counselor thought I wasn't college material—but I went on to earn a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, and a doctorate in clinical psychology. She clearly didn't understand that "consistently inconsistent grades" were just part of my ADHD brain doing its thing.

My Many Lives

I've lived many lives since then—student, professional, wife, mother, and now a divorced mom navigating a new chapter. I was married for 24 years and finalized my divorce in 2025. I have two amazing kids, now ages 12 and 16, and I've experienced firsthand what it means to parent through every season—raising a son and a daughter, while also trying to rediscover who I am.

Student and Professional

Mother of Two

Wife for 24 Years

Rediscovering Myself

Going through divorce forced me to take a hard look at my life. I had a choice: run from the pain or dive into it. I chose the deep dive. I cried more than I thought possible. I healed parts of myself I didn't even know were broken. It was brutal—and beautiful. I emerged more grounded, more present, and more me. And I can tell you with certainty: growth is hard, but staying stuck is harder.

My Adventurous Spirit

At my core, I've always had an adventurous spirit. I'll take a five-star resort or a simple road trip (just don't ask me to camp—retired that in my 20s!). I love the outdoors, I say yes to new experiences, and I'll never make you choose between the beach and the mountains—because I want both!

Ziplining

Rock Climbing

Mountain Biking

Skydiving (Hard Pass!)

My Approach

Through it all—life, motherhood, career, heartache—I've stayed true to who I am. I bring my lived experience, clinical expertise, and deep compassion into every room I'm in. Whether I'm working with a child, a parent, or an adult in transition, I show up as real and grounded.