Diana Elstad, LMHC
Warm, attentive counseling for life’s toughest transitions
- Addiction and recovery support
- Trauma and grief care
- Relationships and self esteem
About Diana Elstad
Diana Elstad, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington with 35 years of experience supporting people across community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals, and private practice. She is also a geriatric mental health specialist, bringing added focus to the emotional and practical concerns that can arise with aging and later-life transitions.
Over the course of her career, she has worked with hundreds of individuals navigating a wide range of challenges, including addiction and recovery, depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress management, family systems and codependency, self-esteem, relationship concerns, grief and loss, and the impacts of trauma and abuse. Her work is grounded in respect for each person’s story and the belief that meaningful change often begins with being heard and understood.
Diana’s intention in counseling is to offer a warm, kind, and respectful presence while listening carefully for what may be difficult to say out loud. She aims to notice the underlying heart of what a person is communicating, not only the words themselves. Her style is eclectic, drawing from multiple therapeutic traditions to stay fully present and to meet each client where they are in the process.
Over the course of her career, she has worked with hundreds of individuals navigating a wide range of challenges, including addiction and recovery, depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress management, family systems and codependency, self-esteem, relationship concerns, grief and loss, and the impacts of trauma and abuse. Her work is grounded in respect for each person’s story and the belief that meaningful change often begins with being heard and understood.
Diana’s intention in counseling is to offer a warm, kind, and respectful presence while listening carefully for what may be difficult to say out loud. She aims to notice the underlying heart of what a person is communicating, not only the words themselves. Her style is eclectic, drawing from multiple therapeutic traditions to stay fully present and to meet each client where they are in the process.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
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 attacksPost-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 Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Diana Elstad have?
Diana Elstad has 35 years of experience providing mental health counseling support.
Is Diana Elstad a licensed therapist?
Yes. Diana Elstad is licensed as an LMHC in Washington (WA LMHC LH 00003771).
In which languages does Diana Elstad provide therapy?
Diana Elstad provides therapy in English.
Where is Diana Elstad located?
Diana Elstad is located in Washington.
How can I work with Diana Elstad as my therapist?
You can work with Diana Elstad through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, depending on what fits your needs and scheduling.
Does Diana Elstad work with international clients?
No. Diana Elstad does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Diana Elstad cost?
The cost of therapy can vary based on factors such as your location and the therapist’s availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the “Start Therapy” button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started is quick and straightforward. Click the “Start Therapy” button and complete a short questionnaire to help match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Practical Online Support, Grounded in Effective Therapy
Diana Elstad integrates well-established approaches to help clients work through concerns like anxiety, depression, trauma-related stress, relationship strain, and challenges connected to addiction and recovery. In Client-Centered Therapy, the focus is on creating a supportive space where clients can explore what they feel and need at their own pace, which can be especially helpful during grief, life transitions, or times of uncertainty.She also draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a structured approach that helps people notice unhelpful thought patterns and experiment with more workable ways of thinking and responding. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills can add practical tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and steadier communication when feelings run high or relationships feel tense.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. Diana works collaboratively, adjusting the focus based on a client’s goals, preferences, and what seems most helpful in the moment, while keeping sessions grounded and purposeful.
Online therapy makes it easier to access support in a format that fits daily life. Sessions can happen through video calls or phone, and clients may also use live chat or text-based messaging for added flexibility between sessions.