Diana C. Direiter
Professional Title: Assistant Professor of Psychology
Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:
Trauma, domestic violence, therapy and children
Area of Work and Concentration at Lesley: Application of psychological theories and concepts to forms of media (ads, movies, music, etc.). Exploring the complexity of trauma in lives of families and children and how the solutions and effects are intertwined with every other aspect of our culture.
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:
CPSYC 1401 Lifespan Development; CPSYC 2421 Introduction to Counseling; CPSYC 3422 Trauma and Crisis; CPSYC 3888 Psychology Goes to the Movies
Education: BA, Stephen F. Austin State University; PhD, University of North Texas;
Pre- and Post-Doctoral Medical School Fellow, Harvard University;
Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Health Service Provider
Fun Facts:
I’m a native Texan and am still trying to get used to winter and the fact that y’all don’t say “y’all” up here! I have conflicted, but ultimately satisfying, relationships with Disney, technology and reality tv.
I work hard to help students find and understand the connections between the real world and the academic world. This often includes analyzing stories from the news or the worlds of celebrities and pop culture to recognize the threads relevant to what they are learning in their classes. I’m fascinated by the messages we all begin receiving from society from our first moments here and how those messages shape us and our views of ourselves and each other.