Diane Gould, LCSW

In the 4th grade, I read a book about Jane Addams and decided to become a social worker. During my 20s, I attended the Jane Addams School of Social Work to pursue my master’s degree after obtaining an undergraduate in behavioral psychology. In addition to helping others, human behavior was always interesting to me. Since graduating college, I have focused my career on serving vulnerable children and adults, and struggling families. Over the last 40-plus years, I have worked in schools and social service agencies before starting a full-time private practice 14 years ago.

I have focused on working with autistic and other neurodivergent individuals for most of my career. In April 2024 at the age of 65 I was diagnosed as autistic. My interest in autism and trauma led me to specialize in the complex PDA (pathological demand avoidance/persistent drive for autonomy) profile of autism. This also led me to create the first PDA North America Conference in 2020 and forming a non-profit for PDA North America in January of 2023.

To be honest, I found parenting challenging. It was the best and most difficult experience of my life. Too few people feel permitted to talk about this. I don’t know how anyone parents a complicated kid without support. I strive to be that helpful, nonjudgmental professional in the lives of families. I have had the good fortune of supporting some families for decades and through the ups and downs of life. I am so fortunate to have been allowed into the lives of so many wonderful people.

At this point in my career, I hope to pass on what I have learned through training and consultation to individuals, schools, and other systems. My clients have been the best teachers. I provide direct service through parent consultations and friendship/relationship development programs. In everything I do, I believe in looking beneath the surface and partnering to find the answers.