Give Apply Info

Request Information

You need a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution to enroll in Adler University programs.

Okay

Chicago | Clinical Training Director and Assistant Professor, Couple and Family Therapy

Rachel M. Diamond, Ph.D., LMFT

Overview

Overview

While I have my own philosophy of change as it relates to working with relational systems, I respect students’ autonomy in developing their own theory of therapy. I align with the common factor principle of allegiance: the benefit of a therapist’s commitment to and belief in their model of therapy. In other words, I believe therapists are best able to create therapeutic change if they are utilizing an approach that is a good “fit” for them. Therefore, I strive to provide a supervisory context that allows trainees to explore approaches to therapy in order to find this fit.

In addition, as the Clinical Training Director I see it as my job to develop high-quality training sites in a variety of settings in order to meet the diverse professional development goals of students in the program. By developing relationships with new and varied sites, students are afforded the opportunity to work with diverse client populations and treatment issues. This, as well, allows students to develop their own theory of therapy.

Education

Education

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Family Institute at Northwestern University
  • Ph.D., Marriage and Family Therapy, Saint Louis University
  • M.A., Community Counseling & Research in Family Therapy, Saint Louis University
  • B.A., Psychology & Spanish Language Literature, Marquette University
Areas of Expertise and Academic Research Interests

Areas of Expertise and Academic Research Interests

  • Medical Family Therapy
  • Perinatal Mental Health
  • Divorce and Remarriage
  • Couple and Family Therapy
Professional and Academic Positions of Note

Professional and Academic Positions of Note

  • Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), IL
  • Clinical Fellow, American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT)
  • Approved Supervisor, American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT)
Professional Memberships

Professional Memberships

  • American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT)
  • Clinical Member & Approved Supervisor, Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA)
  • Board Member, Postpartum Support Illinois
  • Postpartum Support International
Select Publications

Select Publications

  • Diamond, R. (Aug 25, 2022). New restrictions on abortion care will have psychological harms – here’s what research shows will happen in post-Roe America. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/new-restrictions-on-abortion-care-will-have-psychological-harms-heres-what-research-shows-will-happen-in-post-roe-america-187009
  • Diamond, R.M., & Parker, M.L. (2022). Overcoming barriers to collaborative health care: A phenomenological study of medical providers. Practice Innovations, 7(1), 53-63. https://doi.org/10.1037/pri0000169
  • Gebel, G., & Diamond, R. (2022). The role of medical family therapists in reproductive healthcare settings serving gender diverse patients: A reproductive justice approach. International Journal of Systemic Therapy, 33(4), 276-296. https://doi.org/10.1080/2692398X.2022.2120320
  • Parker, M.L., Diamond, R.M, Ledermann, T., & Tambling, R. (2022). The beginning of the end: A revised inventory of divorce initiation. [Online Version]. Family Relations. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12660
  • Diamond, R.M., & Colaianni, A. (2022). The impact of perinatal healthcare changes on birth trauma during COVID-19. Women and Birth, 35(5), P503-510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2021.12.003
  • Chou, J., Diamond, R.M., Muruthi, B., Cooper-Sadlo, S., Ibrahim, M., Hillier S.*, Aponte, J. Herbert, D., & Montesinos, S., Zaarur, A. (2021). Ecostructural family therapy and maternal substance use. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 40(3), 50-66. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2021.40.3.50
  • Diamond, R. M., & Chou, J. L. (2021). Invisible loss: A Delphi approach to develop a term for individuals who experienced perinatal loss. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 33(1), 81-100. https://doi.org/10.1080/08952833.2020.1848055
  • Chou, J. L., Cooper-Sadlo, S. C., Diamond, R. M., Muruthi, B. A., Beeler-Stinn, S. (2020). An exploration of mothers’ successful completion of family-centered residential substance use treatment. Family Process, 59(3), 111-1127. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12501
  • McComb, J.L., Diamond, R. M., Breulin, D.C., & Chambers, A.L., & Murray, K.S.F. (2018). Introducing client feedback into marriage and family therapy supervision: A qualitative study examining the transition to empirically informed supervision. Journal of Family Therapy,40(3). https://doi.org/ 10.1111/1467-6427.12222.
  • Diamond, R., Brown, K.S., & Miranda, J. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 on the perinatal period through a biopsychosocial systemic framework. Contemporary Family Therapy, 42(3), 205-216. doi: 10.1007/s10591-020-09544-8
  • Diamond, R. M., & Parker, M. L. (2018). Development of the Divorce Initiation Inventory. Contemporary Family Therapy, 40(4), 346-356, DOI: 10.1007/s10591-01809463-0
  • Diamond, R. M. (in press). Infertility and pregnancy loss in couple and family therapy. In J. Lebow, A. Chambers, & D. Breunlin (Eds.-in-Chief), Encyclopedia of couple and family therapy. New York, NY: Springer.
  • Wagner, A., & Diamond, R. M. (2017). Families of divorce. In, S. Browning & B. van Eeden-Moorefield (Eds.). Contemporary families at the nexus of research and practice. New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Diamond, R. M., Brimhall, A. S., & Elliott, M. (2017). Attachment and relationship satisfaction among first married, remarried, and post-divorce relationships. Journal of Family Therapy, 40, S111-S127. DOI:10.1111/1467-6427.12161
  • Diamond, R. M., Brimhall, A. S., & Bramesfeld, K. (2017). Got trust? A mixed-method consideration of how past relationships influence perceptions of trust. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 58 (1), 64-81. DOI:10.1080/10502556.2016.1268012
  • Diamond, R. M., & Roose, R. E. (2016). Development and evaluation of a peer support program for parents facing perinatal loss. Nursing for Women’s Health, 20(2). 146-156. DOI: 10.1016/j.nwh.2016.02.001
Select Presentations

Select Presentations

  • Diamond, R.M., Brown, K.S. (2021). “Mental health impacts of COVID-19 on the perinatal period.” 90-min workshop presented at the Annual Conference of the Illinois Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (IAMFT), virtual format.
  • Diamond, R., & Parker, M. (2018). “Assessing divorce initiator status in research and clinical practice.” Research discussion presented at the National Conference of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT), Louisville, KY.
  • Parker, M., Diamond, R., & Roohr, M*. (2018). “Autism and the family: A solution-focused approach.” 2-hour workshop presented at the National Conference of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT), Louisville, KY.
  • Chou, J., Diamond, R. Cooper-Sadlo, S., & Muruthi, B. (2018). “Maternal substance use and structural family therapy.” 1-hour forum presented at the National Conference of the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (AAMFT), Louisville, KY.
Awards

Awards

  • 2021: Adler Seed Grant Recipient
  • 2012: Missouri Association for Marriage & Family Therapy Student Scholarship
  • 2011: Raphael J. Becvar Doctoral Student Award for Scholarship and Service
  • 2011: Missouri Association for Marriage & Family Therapy Student Award
  • 2010: Nomination for Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools 2011 Distinguished Thesis Award

Chicago Campus

Located in the heart of the city, the Chicago Campus was designed to provide and inspire the learning and living experience. To that end, we have created an environment that caters to your mental, emotional, and intellectual growth. Our classrooms are bright and spacious with windows to the outside world and the latest technology. In our Library, you will find every resource you need to research, form, and shape your journey. At Adler University, we have more than enough room to share your thoughts and flex your intellect.

Tour the Campus

Take the next step