- Anger management
- Substance issues
- Skills-based therapy
About Diana
Diana Elstad is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington with 35 years of experience. She works with people facing addiction and recovery, depression, anxiety, trauma and abuse, stress, relationship concerns, grief, parenting strain, and anger. She has a background in community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals, and private practice.
Diana has worked with hundreds of people across many issues, including substance use, PTSD, codependency, self-esteem, intimacy-related concerns, and eating or sleeping problems. She also has experience with geriatric mental health and adoption and foster care matters. Her long practice includes helping people manage life changes, career stress, and mood conditions such as bipolar and depression.
Her approach is pragmatic and person-focused. She listens first, helping clients name what feels most urgent. Then she uses practical tools from different therapies to address those concerns. Conversations tend to focus on what can be changed now and on small steps that reduce distress.
Diana draws from Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Narrative Therapy. She mixes these methods based on a person’s current needs and goals. Sessions often include skill-building, problem solving, and reviewing patterns that keep problems repeating.
People who want straightforward, experienced guidance for anger, addictions, relationship trouble, or grief will find clear, steady support. To begin, clients follow the site's matching steps and schedule a first session after completing a short questionnaire.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Diana commonly uses Client-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in her work. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and understanding a person's experience so they can name what matters and decide next steps. CBT breaks problems into thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns.She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for skills training when strong emotions or relationship patterns cause repeated conflict. DBT gives clear tools for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and clearer communication, which many people find useful for anger and relationship stress. Deciding which approach to use is collaborative; Diana helps clients try methods and adjusts based on what works for their goals and preferences.
Confirm current session options before booking as formats are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a weekday break, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. These practical advantages help people keep consistency with coaching and skill practice while managing work and family commitments.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
35+ years
Listed in
Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
Diana works with addiction and recovery, relationship problems, trauma and abuse, stress and anxiety, grief, parenting strain, anger, self-esteem, bipolar disorder, and related issues.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is pragmatic and person-focused. She listens first and then uses practical techniques from several therapy approaches to address immediate problems.
How much experience does she have?
She has 35 years of experience working in community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals, and private practice.
What are her credentials and location?
She is a LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) licensed in Washington.
Which languages are offered?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.