Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Apple Valley, CA

I have been practicing since 2000. I have worked in many healthcare and non-profit settings both while obtaining my education and in professional roles. I have a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology and have successfully treated many individuals, families and adolescents.

You've done meaningful therapeutic work and you're ready to go deeper. You're successful in the external markers of your life, but you know there's more—greater depth, connection, and purpose waiting for you. You've addressed foundational trauma, and now you want to explore subtler patterns: how you hold back in intimacy, the meanings you're searching for, the fuller expression of yourself you sense is possible. You may be curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy as a tool for profound insight. You're not dealing with crisis, but are looking for a guide who can support you in moving from survival to fully living in your wholeness.

Healing is not about becoming someone else. It’s about living in alignment with who you truly are. Together, we meet at the intersection of the heart and mind to outgrow what no longer fits and be who you are becoming.

My name is Dianne Fontaine, MSN, APRN, and I'm a Licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Board Certified (PMHNP-BC) by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). I obtained my Master’s Degree from Walden University and has undergone advanced clinical training, equipping me to assess, diagnose, and treat a spectrum of psychiatric illnesses, as well as provide psychotherapy.

Some things you've been carrying for so long they've started to feel like part of who you are. I work with adolescents, adults, and older adults who are navigating trauma, grief, loss, and the weight of experiences that don't just go away on their own. People of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, socioeconomic situations, gender expressions, and sexual orientations find a real home in my practice, including folks within the LGBTQIA+ community. Clients often tell me they feel genuinely heard in a way they haven't before.

I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 14 year experience in the mental health field. I specialize in supporting individuals who are committed to their emotional healing. I have experience in working with age groups ranging from children to adults, LGBTQ+ individuals, trauma survivors, and those who seek to live their best lives. In order to support the individuals I work with, I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Strength-Based, and Person-Centered approaches.

I earned my Master of Social Work and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). My professional journey began in social services and the Department of Mental Health, and I later worked with community mental health agencies supporting people from many different backgrounds. These experiences strengthened my commitment to helping individuals feel supported and understood while navigating life’s challenges.

I have provided therapy to clients of all ages, both individually and within families, and I now focus primarily on adults who want to create meaningful change in their lives. In addition, I bring experience working with individuals with autism and ADHD diagnoses, offering strategies that highlight their strengths, improve daily functioning, and foster growth.

My approach is centered on guiding clients through anxiety, depression, trauma, and overwhelming stress, with the goal of building greater stability, confidence, and connection. I believe therapy should be a safe, collaborative space where progress feels achievable and each step brings clients closer to the life they want to live.

I have a Master's Degree in Counseling, Marriage, and Family from Phillips Graduate Institute.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from UCSB.

I typically work with clients who have a history of trauma, life transitions, relationship issues, and managing anxiety, The clients I work with are very motivated to make changes in their lives.

I worked with high-risk, traumatized, and abused youth for many years. I find practicing therapy very rewarding. Assisting my clients to work through life challenges and progress in their life journey is a privilege.