Meet Jillian Diamond, PsyD of Diamond Therapy & Assessment

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Diamond, PsyD.

Hi Jillian, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My interest in psychology stems from a deep fascination with human development and a desire to understand individuals within the context of their unique experiences. I believe that to truly help someone, it’s essential to consider the interplay of their personal history, environment, and relationships. I also believe that people are the experts on themselves and like to approach my clinic work in a collaborative manner. This perspective has fueled my commitment to providing comprehensive and compassionate care.

During my doctoral training in Clinical Psychology, I noticed a significant gap in clinical education regarding neurodiversity, especially the subtle presentations of Autism that are often missed in traditional assessments. Recognizing this, I have devoted myself to ongoing learning, seeking out specialized training and resources to better understand the nuances of neurodiversity. The more I learned about the wide spectrum of what Autism and ADHD can look like, the more I began to notice it everywhere (in clients, media, even in some of my loved ones!).

Over the years, I’ve seen how missed or misunderstood neurodiversity can contribute to challenges such as depression, anxiety, and difficulties in daily life. I truly enjoy helping both children and adults untangle the complex web of their experiences, thoughts, behaviors, and learning struggles. My goal is not only to help people gain clarity about themselves and their children, but also to foster self-compassion and acceptance. I believe that understanding one’s unique needs is the first step toward finding the right support and moving forward with confidence.

I opened my own practice, Diamond Therapy & Assessment, in 2023. As a solo owner/operator/clinician, I have had to learn many skills that were not taught in graduate school and continue to seek resources to help sustain a small private practice. I have a lot of gratitude to the Denver psychology community, including many psychologists from the University of Denver Graduate School of Professional Psychology, who forged this path ahead of me and have offered warm and supportive guidance along the way.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Opening a private practice was very much a process of putting one foot in front of the other. Deciding to take the leap was easily the scariest part, and then figuring out the logistics, paperwork, systems, and all the planning that goes into actually launching felt overwhelming. I was fortunate to have guidance and encouragement from friends and colleagues during those early steps. That support was invaluable, but navigating the practical aspects, especially accepting insurance and learning to manage my own billing, has been a huge challenge. Even attending a graduate program focused on clinical work, that held the assumption that many graduates would eventually dabble in practice, did not fully prepare me for the business side of this world. The insurance system was entirely new to me, and learning the ins and outs of billing and referrals has been a continual challenge. Another challenge is that I have the privilege of working parttime in order to spend time with my young son, and balancing the demands of business ownership and parenting has its own set of obstacles. Like many parents, I sometimes find it hard to fully turn off the business part of my brain when I’m at home.

One of the best pieces of advice I received when starting my practice was to really envision what I wanted it to look like—my ideal schedule, my dream client, the kind of work-life balance I hoped to achieve—and to stay committed to building that. It’s easy to fall into a scarcity mindset and feel pressure to take on as much work as possible, but doing so can lead to a practice that isn’t truly satisfying, and burned out clinicians do not best serve their clients. I’ve tried to be intentional in creating a practice that reflects my values and supports both my professional goals and my life at home.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At the heart of my practice is a commitment to helping individuals and families find clarity and understanding when faced with complex challenges. Whether you or your child feel misunderstood, are struggling with behaviors or emotions, or are overwhelmed by questions about diagnosis and support options, my goal is to provide a clear roadmap forward. At the moment, my practice is focused on offering comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for all ages, with a particular focus on neurodiversity, including Autism and ADHD, as well as mood and learning disorders. What sets my practice apart is a collaborative, supportive approach that goes beyond simply saying “yes” or “no” to a specific diagnosis; I take time to explore each person’s unique strengths and needs, ensuring that clients feel truly understood. My evaluations result in clear, affirming, easy-to-understand reports with actionable recommendations tailored to each individual, empowering families and adults to move forward with confidence and compassion.

How do you think about luck?
I feel lucky in many aspects of my practice. First and foremost, I’m grateful for the relationships I’ve built with local colleagues, including talented clinicians who have supported, guided, and inspired me as I’ve worked to build my own practice. Being part of this professional community has provided both practical advice and a sense of camaraderie that I truly value. Another stroke of luck has been finding an office setup that perfectly matches my needs. I use the Humanly Lakewood Community Rooms, which offer the flexibility to sign up for office space as needed, rather than being tied to a fixed weekly schedule. This arrangement has been ideal for my hybrid model, allowing me to offer both in-person and remote appointments while balancing my professional and personal responsibilities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.drdiamondtherapy.com/

Image Credits
Primary Headshot – Emily June Photography
Additional Photos – From the Hip Photo