CBTTherapistsUSA

The therapist listings are provided by BetterHelp and we will earn a commission if you use our link - at no cost to you.

GS Portrait of Gia Castiglia Schwarzer

Gia Castiglia Schwarzer

Collaborative, strength-focused therapy with CBT elements

LMFT California

Experience
7 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Languages
English
Continue with Gia

About Gia

Gia Castiglia Schwarzer is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with seven years of clinical experience. She grounds her work in collaborative, strength-based practice and incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques alongside interpersonal methods to help clients notice patterns and develop practical coping strategies.

Background and approach

Gia emphasizes that clients are the experts in their own lives and focuses on uncovering internal resources that can be connected to day-to-day challenges. Her background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science from U.C.

Irvine and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University. Gia has practiced in both personal and school settings and also holds dual certification with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) as a Mental Health Practitioner and Equine Specialist.

After a period devoted to family, she returned to clinical work with a renewed focus on helping people manage stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns.

Gia works with a range of issues including grief, self-esteem, addictions, family and intimacy-related concerns, trauma and abuse, anger, depression, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue, with additional attention to young adult issues. Her style is collaborative and solution-oriented, supporting clients as they identify meaningful, sustainable changes.

CBT-informed care and flexible online sessions

Gia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help clients identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, test assumptions, and build practical skills for managing anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship patterns. CBT offers concrete tools such as thought records and behavioral experiments that can be practiced between sessions to support steady progress.

She also integrates interpersonal approaches that focus on how relationships and communication affect emotional well-being, helping clients clarify patterns in interactions and develop healthier ways of connecting. Together these approaches aim to translate insight into everyday changes that feel achievable and relevant to each person's life.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is a collaborative process. Gia works with clients to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting strategies as the work unfolds so the plan remains practical and client-centered.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers flexibility for scheduling and access from different locations. These formats make it easier to maintain continuity of care, practice skills in real time, and fit sessions into a busy life while working with a licensed professional.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does Gia commonly address?
Her practice includes work with stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting issues, along with grief, self-esteem, addictions, family dynamics, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, anger, depression, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue. She also has an additional focus on young adult issues.
What is her therapeutic approach and style?
She uses a collaborative, strengths-based approach that draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and interpersonal methods to help clients identify patterns and develop practical coping strategies. The emphasis is on clients uncovering and using their own resources.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Gia has seven years of professional experience working in clinical settings including independent practice and schools. She returned to counseling after taking time to focus on family.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with the credential CA LMFT 41967 and practices in California.
Does she offer services in languages other than English or accept international clients?
Sessions are provided in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
In what formats are sessions offered?
Therapy sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexible options for engagement.
What does therapy cost and how are sessions billed?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are delivered through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How does someone begin working with her?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGriefParenting issuesSelf esteem

Also works with

AddictionsFamily conflictsTrauma and abuseIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementDepressionCoping with life changesCompassion fatigue

Additional focus areas

Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Experience

7+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English