Diana Johnstone, LCSW
Trauma-focused therapist who values strengths
Details
| Name | Diana Johnstone |
|---|---|
| Credentials | LCSW |
| Based in | Wisconsin |
| Licensed in | Wisconsin |
| Session format | Online |
| Languages | English |
| Years in practice | 19 |
About Diana
Diana Johnstone is a licensed clinical social worker with 19 years of experience in Wisconsin. She focuses on trauma recovery and on helping people manage anxiety, depression, and strong emotions. Diana aims to make sessions straightforward and approachable for people who feel overwhelmed by their situation.
She uses Narrative Therapy alongside client-centered techniques to help people tell and reshape the stories they hold about themselves. That work often connects to practical skill building for coping, emotion regulation, and improving self-esteem.
Background and approach
Diana blends this with cognitive-behavioral strategies when it helps break unhelpful thinking patterns. Her practice emphasizes strengths and steady skill development. Sessions typically include talking through recent struggles, practicing new ways to handle strong feelings, and setting small goals that feel doable.
She also offers approaches aimed specifically at trauma recovery and distress tied to past abuse or assault. Diana has experience supporting people dealing with caregiver stress, isolation or loneliness, family of origin issues, and problems with communication. She also works with concerns such as panic attacks, dissociation, pregnancy and childbirth-related stress, and self-harm thoughts by focusing on safety and stepwise skills.
Sessions are offered in English and delivered online by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging. People start by completing a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a session that fits their timing.
What this therapist works with
Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger management among the things Diana works with, alongside the areas below.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Anger management
- Self esteem
- Depression
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Communication problems
- Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
- Dissociation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Self-harm
- Self-love
- Sexual assault and abuse
- Sexuality
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
- Young adult 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.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Listed by Diana among the ways she works.
- Mindfulness Therapy: 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.
- Somatic 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 Practical Therapies Work Online
Online sessions often combine Narrative Therapy and client-centered work to help people rewrite unhelpful life stories and focus on personal strengths. Narrative Therapy involves talking about the events and meanings that shape a person, then looking for alternative storylines that support healthier choices. Client-centered work centers the person's goals and pace, helping them feel heard while exploring what matters most.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, when used alongside these approaches, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It adds practical exercises such as testing anxious predictions, behavior experiments, and simple skill practice for mood and panic symptoms. These approaches are useful for anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and emotion regulation challenges.
Finding the right mix is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, try approaches that fit the person's needs, and adjust the plan as progress is made. Clients are invited to give feedback about what helps and what doesn't so the work stays focused and useful.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video is close to an in-person session and works well for longer therapy work. Phone sessions are flexible and require less bandwidth. Live chat and text messaging can suit brief check-ins, coping skill practice, or people who prefer writing to speaking. These options make it easier to schedule sessions around work, caregiving, or other commitments.
Common questions about this listing
What concerns does this therapist help with?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, anger, self-esteem, and depression. Additional focus areas include caregiver stress, communication problems, panic attacks, and self-harm thoughts.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and strengths-focused. She uses Narrative Therapy and client-centered work to help people reframe their personal stories and build practical coping skills.
What kind of experience does she bring?
She has 19 years of professional experience working in Wisconsin. That background includes trauma recovery and supporting people with mood and anxiety concerns.
What are her credentials and where is she located?
She holds an LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and practices in Wisconsin.
Which languages are supported and can international clients be seen?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be delivered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule.
How does billing and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling 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.
Or see other therapists in Wisconsin »
This is a partner link. We will earn a commission if you sign up through it, at no cost to you. It does not change what you pay or the order of the listings.
Other listings in Wisconsin
- Deia Lawrence, LPC - Wisconsin
- Patricia Carrington, LPC, CSW - Wisconsin
- Sara Curtis, LCSW - Wisconsin
- Alecia Corbett, LCSW - Wisconsin
- All therapists for stress, anxiety »