Diane Petrella

12/14/2025

I felt shocked, stunned, and scared yesterday afternoon when I learned of the shooting at Brown University. This massacre happened 1/2 mile from my former office and home when I lived in Providence. Sobering.

I'm not someone who thinks "this will never happen here." With the proliferation and worship of guns in this country, I figured it was only a matter of time before it happened here.

At least two people, presumably students, have died. To my knowledge, eight others are hospitalized, most in critical condition.

I feel so sad.

Please drop a ❤️ below and keep my state and Providence in your prays. Thank you.

12/12/2025

Feelings are timeless. This means that, when triggered, your nervous system and inner child do not know the difference between 2025 and... 1964, 1973, 1986, or 2000. Because when you feel triggered, you and your body are emotionally and physiologically pulled back in time.

This isn't your fault. But it is your responsibility to work it through. And healing is possible. So stay the course, okay?

12/10/2025

What matters most is how YOU feel about yourself.

So give yourself the most precious gift of self-love and acceptance, okay? 💜

12/07/2025

This time of year is not all joy and good cheer and can be difficult for a lot of people.

If were raised in an abusive or dysfunctional family and have strained relationships, or separated yourself entirely for whatever reason, seeing other people in seemingly happy families can feel very painful.

If you experienced a recent loss, I am so sorry. The holidays can make that loss even more hard to bear.

You're not alone.

If you need support, reach out to a trusted person. Or call the 988 crisis lifeline for emotional support.

If you know someone who's hurting, reach out. Never underestimate the power of a simple phone call or text asking, "How are you doing?" That act of caring can ease someone's loneliness and brighten their day.

If you're struggling, I see you. I'm sending love, and while only virtually, I hope you can feel it. You're not alone. 💛

12/04/2025

Having worked with children who were sexually abused, this use of language disturbs me deeply.

No, a 14-year-old teenager is not a woman or a man. In the eyes of the law, and also developmentally, they are still children.

Calling a teenage girl who is the victim of sexual assault a "woman" serves to protect the perpetrator and dismisses the female victim's experience.

We have all seen this language in the media and, what is even more egregious, in courtrooms. And of course when it comes to the Epstein files.

Let's call it out when we see it, okay? Our children and teens need our protection.

🤔

12/02/2025

It's Giving Tuesday. Do you have a favorite charity where you donate your time or money?

Acts of generosity hold a powerful energy. Give freely of your time, helpfulness, money, wisdom, and all the goodness inside of you. Not only on a designated day, but always.

I don’t mean to suggest that you give without a sensitivity to your own needs, of course, but to give when you can in all the ways that you can.

While being generous is a compassionate way of living, it’s actually not about unconditional altruism.

Generosity is a superpower. Because what you give comes back to you.

Over the years, I’ve experienced how what I have given returned to me. Not necessarily in the exact ways I’ve offered, but energetically my generosity opened space for new and expanded gifts to flow back into my own life.

I think of generosity as the Feedback Loop of Love.

On this give freely. Give joyfully. Give quietly.

Because when you are generous, like an alchemical reaction, you’ll notice your life expand and transform in beautiful, magical, and loving ways.

I'm giving to Amos House a social service agency that helps the unhoused. What about you?

11/26/2025

Pumpkin pie. Gobble, gobble. 🦃

Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡

11/26/2025

In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, I'm sharing a favorite quote that I live by. Wanna practice this too?

I offer the Universe my gratitude and thanks liberally, every day, for every small and large gift.

Open parking space in a full lot... thank you!
Finding my misplaced keys... thank you!
Reassuring yearly blood work... thank you!

Never underestimate the power of "thank you" to loved ones in your life and to the Universe or God of your understanding. The energy of gratitude and thankfulness fills and supports your mind, body, and spirit with a powerful and protective energy.

If you celebrate Thanksgiving, wishing you and yours a beautiful day. 💜

11/25/2025

I live on a peninsula. This beauty greeted me this morning.

Wishing you all a magical day. 🧡

11/22/2025

Today, November 22, is International Survivors of Su***de Loss Day. If you lost a loved one by their own hand, I am so sorry.

And I want you to know that, despite what you may think, there was nothing you could have done to prevent it.

We're taught to believe that love is the most important ingredient in our relationships. And sure, that's true—to a point. Yes, reaching out with a loving hand to someone who is despondent can make a difference.

But sometimes, it doesn't.

When someone is determined to do what they're going to do, you can't stop them. That doesn't mean you don't try. It means you don't blame yourself.

Whether it's su***de or addictions, you cannot rescue people from their demons. Even therapists, who are trained to help people, can't always make a difference. It's up to each person to use the help offered and, ultimately, help themselves.

Peace to your heart. 💜

***de ***deSurvivors

11/19/2025

Trigger warning as I discuss sexual assault and the Epstein files.

Decades ago, a colleague and I developed the first child sexual abuse treatment program in Rhode Island. I've worked with thousands of child and adult sexual assault victims, including victims of in**st, and was a court-appointed forensic expert witness for these cases.

I've seen the damage done by perpetrators and a system that often ignored the rights of children and adult victims. So I have a particular interest in seeing the Epstein files released. I was encouraged by yesterday's nearly unanimous vote in the House and Senate to do that.

I hope the reports are released in full, without protective redactions, so that the American people know the truth about this president and others who were involved.

If you were a victim of sexual abuse as a child or adult, I am so sorry. I hope you have the support and professional help you need to heal from the trauma you endured. I will post some resources below that can be of help.

Drop a 💜 in the comments as a show of support for all sexual assault victims and a commitment to ensuring the truth be revealed by those who were harmed by Epstein and his cohort of predators.

11/17/2025

My audiobook is on sale for 50% off!

I was thrilled to be chosen by Tantor Audio to narrate my book, Healing Emotional Eating for Trauma Survivors. My intent was to convey my genuine support and encouragement to listeners in the same way I'm present with my clients.

This feedback I received warms my heart and let's me know my loving intention was received.

I wrote this book for you, with love. As you listen, I hope you feel that love and allow it to flow into your own heart with love for yourself. 💜

Take advantage of this steep discount using this link: https://tinyurl.com/bdcvmjx5

Sale ends December 1rst! I'll post the link below too.