Diana Elstad, LMHC
Compassionate counselor for life’s big challenges
Details
| Name | Diana Elstad |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LMHC |
| Based in | Washington |
| Licensed in | Washington |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 35 |
About Diana
Diana Elstad is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor with 35 years of experience based in Washington. She works with adults facing addiction, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship strain, grief, and many everyday struggles. Her manner is warm and respectful and she listens for the stories beneath the words.
She has worked in community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals, and independent practice. That range gives her practical experience with substance use concerns, PTSD, codependency, and caregiving stress.
Background and approach
She also notes work with aging and geriatric mental health issues. In sessions she keeps things straightforward and person-focused. She aims to hear what’s unspoken and to help people tell their story in a new way.
Her approach draws on Narrative Therapy alongside client-centered, cognitive behavioral, dialectical behavior, and motivational techniques. Therapy with her often blends gentle listening and active skill work. Some meetings focus on changing unhelpful thoughts and habits.
Others focus on understanding life events, attachment patterns, or identity questions that shape daily choices. She supports practical goals like managing cravings, improving sleep, handling anger, and rebuilding trust after loss or abuse. People can expect collaborative sessions where goals are set together and adjusted as needs change.
To begin, clients pick a session format and schedule according to availability.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Addictions, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse among the things Diana works with, alongside the areas below.
- Addictions
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Coping with life changes
- Stress, Anxiety
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Eating disorders
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Abandonment
- Adoption and foster care
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Body image
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Divorce and separation
- Domestic violence
- Drug and alcohol addiction
- Eating and food-related issues
- Emptiness
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Fatherhood issues
- Forgiveness
- Gender dysphoria
- Guilt and shame
- Hoarding
- Hospice and end-of-life counseling
- Immigration issues
- Impulsivity
- Infidelity
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Men's issues
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Mood disorders
- Multicultural concerns
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Prejudice and discrimination
- Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sex addiction
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Approaches listed
- Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
- Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Diana among the ways she works.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Diana among the ways she works.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Diana among the ways she works.
- Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Diana among the ways she works.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Diana among the ways she works.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Diana among the ways she works.
- Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Diana directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.
Narrative Therapy in this listing
Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.
If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Diana directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.
Online session options
How narrative and skills-based therapy work online
Many sessions draw on Narrative Therapy, which helps people reframe the stories they tell about themselves and their relationships. This can be useful for issues like identity questions, attachment patterns, grief, and feelings of emptiness.She also uses Client-Centered Therapy to create a respectful, listening space where people feel heard and understood. That approach supports exploration of values and feelings without judgment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is used when people want direct tools to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, such as managing anxiety, sleep problems, or cravings.
Choosing the right approach is a team effort. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide whether to emphasize storytelling, reflective listening, or skill practice and then adjust as progress is made.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video is useful for deeper conversation and visual cues. Phone works well when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat or text messaging can help people stay connected between sessions or fit support into a busy day.
Common questions about this listing
What kinds of concerns can be addressed?
Diana works with a wide range of issues such as addiction and recovery, depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, relationship and intimacy concerns, grief, sleep and eating struggles, and caregiver or aging-related stress.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is warm and person-centered, listening for what lies beneath the words and combining reflective listening with practical skill-building when helpful.
How much experience does she have?
She brings 35 years of clinical experience working in community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals, and independent practice.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, LMHC, practicing in Washington.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats are offered?
Clients can meet by video call, phone session, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on what fits their needs.
How does cost and billing work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
Contacting this therapist
Sessions with Diana are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Diana where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.
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