Diane H. Engelman, Ph.D. & JB Allyn, M.B.A.
Providing Understanding, Hope, and Tools to Improve Your Life
Our mission is to empower you to find accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatments or trainings. In so doing, we encourage you to advocate well for yourself or your family member in the psychological, neuropsychological, and medical arenas.
Diane Engelman
Neuropsychologist, Psychologist, and Psychotherapist
I have worked in the field of mental health treatment, assessment, advocacy, and consultation for more than thirty years. I am more convinced than ever of the importance of celebrating, and utilizing your unique strengths and abilities as we work to solve your problems.
My belief in empowering people to better understand and advocate for themselves led me to specialize in neuropsychological and personality assessment, and then to adopt the collaborative assessment method I now use. This approach considers you, as the client, to be a full partner in the assessment process.
I have an extensive background providing psychotherapy and assessment for adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families. My other areas of focus comprise the psychological aspects of medical illness, including bereavement, and patient empowerment. My counseling experience encompasses working with individuals and families who are faced with acute, chronic, or terminal illness, are dealing with loss and grief due to death, divorce, or life change, or have general parenting concerns. I co-founded Valley of the Moon Hospice in Sonoma, California, and consulted to that organization for over twenty years.
I received a Masters degree from the University of California at Los Angeles in Community Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing and continue to hold an active license as a registered nurse. My doctorate in psychology is from the California Graduate School of Family Psychology. I also completed a two year intensive postdoctoral training program in clinical neuropsychology at Fielding Graduate University.
I was co-director of the Center for Collaborative Psychology in Marin County, California from 1997 to 2021, and I speak and teach for professional and lay organizations. I am certified through the Therapeutic Assessment Institute to carry out Therapeutic Assessments with adults and am a member of that Institute. My other memberships in professional organizations include the National Academy of Neuropsychologists; Society for Personality Assessment (Fellow and former Board Member; awarded Proficiency status in personality assessment by this organization); International Rorschach Society, to which I was a voting delegate at congresses in Tokyo, 2011; Istanbul, 2014; and Paris, 2017; California Psychological Association; Northern California Neuropsychology Forum; and Marin Psychological Association.
JB Allyn
Writer and Business Manager
I specialize in creative and technical writing/editing in the field of psychology. In January 2012, Routledge published my book on effective writing for psychological assessors, Writing to Clients and Referring Professionals About Psychological Assessment Results. More information here. I have collaborated with Diane Engelman on therapeutic stories, presentations, and other writing projects for over 15 years. I also manage the business aspects of her practice.
I bring thirty years of diverse knowledge to my work with her, and I’m pleased to contribute my ability to help people grasp information in a way they find relevant and useful. Written and spoken communications have provided the backbone of my experience in business management and teaching. I designed and taught an interdisciplinary communications and negotiation course for U.C.L.A. Extension’s certificate program. In this course, technical and scientific experts learned to effectively interact with those outside their specialty area. I hold a Master of Business Administration degree from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor of Arts in English and drama from California State University, Sonoma.
I designed and managed communications and training programs for various industries and businesses, large and small, and coached individuals in effective writing and speaking skills. Working with scientists and engineers, I translated complex technical terms and data into plain English. I have written corporate training materials, articles, software manuals, and speeches for CEOs of companies as well as poetry and fiction. I was business manager for communications companies and professional theatres, including the Los Angeles Olympic Arts Festival. In my earliest career, I acted in the theatre.
Today, I draw from these experiences to help bring better understanding and insight to each of our clients.
Sherpa
Therapy Dog
I specialize in unspoken affection for people. If Diane Engelman thinks I can help a client, I may meet them. When they are upset or stressed, I help them to re-find their balance so they might better benefit from Diane’s counseling. I am relatively new to this field, but I have a natural connection with others. For over a year, we have worked hard with our trainer, Marianne Dolcini. Recently, I passed my Good Citizen test through the American Kennel Club and I was certified in Canine-Assisted Therapy through Paws for Healing.
Why am I named Sherpa? Because, just as with the skilled guides in the Himalayas, if you follow my direction, I will get you where you want to go.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Notice of Privacy Practices: By law, I, Diane Engelman, am required to insure that your protected health information is kept private. Click on the link above to read or print the full document.
