Raab was born in Brooklyn, New York of two immigrant parents.[2] She received her B.S. from Cortland State University[3] in Health Administration with a minor in Journalism. She received her R.N. degree from Vanier College in Quebec,[3] Canada and took her licensure in French. In 2003, she earned her MFA in Writing[4] from Spalding University's low residency program in Kentucky. Raab was a medical journalist for 25 years.[5] She has a Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia University[6] (Formerly The Institute of Transpersonal Psychology) in Palo Alto. Her research [6] involved the transformative and healing aspects of memoir writing.
Career
Raab received her Ph.D. in Psychology with a concentration in Transpersonal Psychology. Her dissertation/thesis abstract, Creative transcendence: Memoir writing for transformation and empowerment. This narrative inquiry examined the transformative and empowering dynamics of writing a memoir in connection with transcendent and pivotal experiences, particularly the experience of a certain loss, and the relationship between Maslow's theory of metamotivation (of self-actualized individuals) B-(being) creativity and D-(deficiency) creativity, and the writing of a memoir.[6]
Raab lectures and facilitates workshops in memoir, poetry, and writing for healing and transformation.[7]
Raab, Diana. Writing for Bliss: A Companion Journal. Loving Healing Press. (2019). (ISBN978-1-61599-427-4 paperback)
Raab, Diana. Writing for Bliss: A Seven-Step Plan for Telling Your Story and Transforming Your Life. Loving Healing Press. (2017). (ISBN978-1615993239)
Raab, Diana. Listening to Africa: Poems. Antrim House Books (2012). (ISBN978-1-936482-18-4)
Raab, Diana. Writers on the Edge: 22 Writers Speak About Addiction and Dependency., co-editor. Foreword by Jerry Stahl. Modern History Press. 2012. (ISBN978-1-61599-108-2)
Raab, Diana. Healing With Words: A Writer's Cancer Journey. Loving Healing Press (2011). (ISBN978-1-61599-010-8)
Raab, Diana. Getting Pregnant and Staying Pregnant: Overcoming Infertility and Managing Your High Risk Pregnancy. Hunter House (1991, 1999, 2009). (ISBN978-0897-932-387)
Raab, Diana. My Muse Undresses Me. Pudding House Publications (2007). (ISBN158-998-5354)
^Raab, Diana M. "Interview with Diana M. Raab". Reader Views (Interview). Interviewed by Tyler R. Tichelaar. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
^ abcRaab, Diana M. (2014). Creative Transcendence: Memoir Writing for Transformation and Empowerment (Dissertation thesis). Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. ProQuest1616602113 – via ProQuest.