DIONA JOHNSON, LICSW

PSYCHOTHERAPIST

PRONOUNS

She/They

RACE/ETHNICITY

Black

Diona Johnson (she/they) is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker practicing in Duluth, MN.  She/They identifies as a Black, queer, individual.

Diona values intersectionality (a term coined by Kimbere Crenshaw) and see’s this framework of intersectionality as crucial to her practice). She works within the attachment theory and understands that developing safety, connection, empathy, and compassion have yielded the best results in therapy. Her embodied and wholistic “doing” exists in trauma-informed work that centers liberation, trauma-informed healing, body positivity, sex positivity, equity, radical self-love, and wholistic transformation.

EDUCATION
MSW: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
BS: in Human Development and Family Studies, University of Wisconsin-Stout

LICENSURE/ CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
“EMDR In Color” (A culturally responsive/informed EMDR training)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Certificate (Allegheny Health Network/ROWAN University CARES Institute, 2020)
Certified Compassion/Self-Compassion Facilitator (Connect Group, 2018)

Diona has been extensively trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), Emotion Focused Therapy for Couples (EFT), Self-Compassion/Compassion Facilitation (CONNECT Group), Complicated Grief Treatment, and Cultural sensitivity training (e.g. historical trauma, racial trauma,  transracial adoption, LGBTQIA2S+ topics). She also has received training and consultation in treating individuals and couples in non-traditional relationship structures (e.g. polyamory and Ethical Non-Monogamy) and is an ally to the kink community. 

Diona operates from a person-centered approach and her work especially is influenced by the critical race theory, feminist theory, and attachment theory. She finds that a healthy balance between structure and flexibility is ideal and enjoys meeting the people she works with where they are at. She believes it is important for therapist and individual seeking services to work together in a framework of mutual accountability and respect. She works with individuals, couples, and families.

Any and all things that involve laughter, good food, friends, love, movement, and self-care.