- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Parenting support
- Young adult issues
About Gia
Gia Castiglia Schwarzer is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with seven years of clinical experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns, and she lists anger, grief, self-esteem and addictions among other focus areas. Sessions focus on practical problem solving and building on strengths clients already have.
Gia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science from U.C. Irvine and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University. After earning her license she spent time working in private practice and in school settings. She also took time away from clinical work to raise a family before returning to counseling.
Her approach treats clients as the experts of their own stories. She helps people notice what already works for them and then connects those strengths to current problems. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is part of the toolkit she uses to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and replace them with more effective options.
Gia also has dual certification in EAGALA - Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association - as a Mental Health Practitioner and an Equine Specialist. That experience informs how she thinks about experiential and action-based work, especially for clients who find movement and activity helpful alongside conversation.
In sessions she aims to help people recognize small steps that can change patterns of reactivity, build clearer communication around relationships, and manage stress and anger so daily life feels more manageable. She supports young adult issues as an additional focus area.
How Gia brings CBT into online work
Gia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice thoughts and routines that feed anger, anxiety, or low mood. CBT sessions often focus on practical skills such as spotting triggers, testing unhelpful beliefs, and practicing new responses that reduce reactivity.She also draws on interpersonal ideas to help clients improve communication and relationships. That work looks at patterns between people and tries small experiments to change how interactions go. Together, therapist and client decide which methods to try based on the person’s goals and day-to-day life.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Gia will help identify whether CBT techniques or interpersonal work - or a mix of both - suits the client’s needs, goals, and preferences. She emphasizes clear, actionable steps so progress can be assessed over time.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. In practice, online sessions can make fitting therapy into a busy schedule easier, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Licensed professionals can adapt exercises and homework to work in remote sessions so therapy fits into real life without requiring major schedule changes.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting concerns and also lists anger, grief, self-esteem, addictions, trauma and related issues.
What is her general approach in sessions?
She treats clients as the expert on their own life and uses collaborative problem solving. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques are used to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has seven years of professional work experience since completing her training and entering clinical practice.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a California LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and she practices in California.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and billed?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.