Diane Bell

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Diane's interest in parent and infant mental health began in the 1970's when she worked as a midwife at the Royal Hospital for Women. She was Team Leader at the Randwick Community health Centre (Adult Mental Health) in the 1980's before moving to a social work in the 1990's where she spent fourteen years as a Senior Social Worker at the Children's Hospital both at its Camperdown and Westmead locations.

Diane's work at the Children's Hospital as Senior Social Worker and Acting Head of the Department of Social Work, enabled her to ensure that delivery of services was child and family centred and attuned to the needs of troubled families from diverse backgrounds. She worked extensively with Aboriginal health workers on cultural awareness projects and dealt directly with Aboriginal children and their families. Over this time she continued to develop her skills in psychoanalytically based therapy with individuals and families.

Diane divides her time now between PIFA, a private practice and working as therapist in the mother/infant unit at St. John of God Health Services.The unit provides inpatient care for women and their babies when women are experiencing depression and other difficulties in the post natal period.

Diane has been a member of PIFA since its inception and is involved in home visiting with Aboriginal families.