Diana Elstad, LMHC

Diana Elstad is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with 35 years of experience. She helps people facing addiction and recovery, depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and stress. She also supports concerns like relationship and intimacy issues, grief, parenting strain, caregiver stress, and challenges tied to aging and geriatric issues.

She has worked across community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals and private practice. That breadth of experience means she has met many different kinds of problems and life situations over three decades. Diana aims to be warm, kind, and respectful in sessions. She listens for what is said and for the feelings beneath the words.

Her approach is eclectic and person-centered. She draws on Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy to match the needs of each person. In a session she focuses on practical steps, skill-building, and understanding the stories people tell about themselves.

Clients can expect a calm, attentive presence and a focus on clear goals. Diana works to identify patterns that keep problems going and to try small changes that make daily life more manageable. She values collaboration and helps people set realistic next steps.

Her practice is based in Washington and sessions are conducted in English. To begin, use the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.

How Diana’s Approaches Work Online

Diana draws on Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to guide her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening closely, reflecting back what matters, and helping people find their own path forward. It is useful for building trust and clarifying personal goals. CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and uses practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns, which can help with anxiety, depression, and stress management.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Diana will talk with each person about their needs, goals, and what feels most comfortable. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking. Diana’s work emphasizes fitting therapy into daily life - shorter check-ins, weekly meetings, or focused skills practice can all be arranged to match schedules. Online work can make it easier to keep appointments around caregiving, work hours, or mobility limits, and it can support steady progress through structured homework and regular planning.