Diana Elstad

Compassionate counselor with decades of experience

LMHC Washington

Experience: 35 years in practice
Focus areas: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages: English

About Diana

Diana Elstad is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) practicing in Washington with 35 years of professional experience. She has supported many people facing addiction and recovery, depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, stress, relationship challenges, grief, and a broad range of emotional and behavioral concerns.

Background and approach

Her background includes work in community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals, and independent practice, which contributes to a practical, seasoned approach to care. Her style centers on warmth, respect, and attentive listening, with an emphasis on understanding the feelings often left unspoken.

Diana’s approach is eclectic; she draws from client-centered methods, cognitive behavioral techniques, dialectical skills, motivational interviewing, and narrative strategies to tailor interventions to each person's needs. She aims to be fully present and to collaborate with clients as they explore changes, build coping skills, and address patterns that interfere with well-being.

Diana welcomes potential clients to reach out and begin the process of matching goals to methods and scheduling sessions.

How therapeutic approaches shape online care

Diana integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy to help people make practical changes and to support their emotional experience. CBT involves identifying patterns of thinking and behavior and working concretely to shift those patterns, which can be helpful for anxiety, depression, stress, and addiction-related behaviors. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes empathy, active listening, and meeting people where they are to build trust and self-directed growth.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Diana works with each person to explore goals, preferences, and what feels most useful, adjusting methods over time so therapy fits the client’s priorities and pace.

Online sessions are offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, which can make it easier to fit counseling into a busy life or to keep continuity when in-person visits are difficult. These options provide flexibility in scheduling and modality, allowing clients to choose the format that best supports their comfort and needs while working with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Diana commonly address?

Diana works with a wide range of issues including addictions, depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, stress, relationship and family concerns, grief, intimacy-related and eating or sleep difficulties.

What is her general therapeutic approach and style?

The approach is warm, respectful, and client-centered, with an emphasis on listening for underlying emotions and tailoring methods to each person's needs.

How much experience does she bring to sessions?

She has 35 years of clinical experience across community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals, and independent practice settings.

What credentials and location are associated with this therapist?

She is licensed as an LMHC in Washington with credential WA LMHC LH 00003771 and practices in the state of Washington.

Which languages are available for sessions and can international clients be seen?

Sessions are offered in English, and she is not accepting international clients at this time.

What session formats are available for working together?

Clients can work with her via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different preferences and schedules.

How are fees and payments handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

What steps are needed to begin therapy with Diana?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

AddictionsRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Coping with life changes

Also works with

Stress, AnxietyLGBTFamily conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderDepression

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsControl issuesDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacks Post-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Motivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy

Experience

35+ years

Licensed

Washington

Languages

English