Therapist Diana Elstad Photo

Diana Elstad, LMHC

Addictions Relationships Trauma, Abuse Coping with life changes
Video Phone Live Chat Messaging

About me

I am a licensed mental health counselor and substance use disorder professional in the state of Washington with 35 years of experience working in various community clinics, treatment centers, hospitals and private practice. I am also a geriatric mental health specialist. I have worked with hundreds of people with a wide variety of concerns, including addiction/recovery, depression, anxiety, PTSD, stress management, family systems, codependency, self-esteem, relationships of all types, grief and loss, and issues related to abuse and trauma.
My intention with each client is to be warm, kind, respectful and a good listener. I endeavor to hear the unspoken heart-messages that are sometimes underneath the words. My counseling style is eclectic and I draw from many schools of therapy, always attempting to be fully present and meet each client where they are.
I look forward to meeting and working with you!

Professional experience

35 yrs in practice
Addictions Relationships Trauma, Abuse Coping with life changes

Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Communication problems, Control issues, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Eating and food-related issues, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, Fatherhood issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Immigration issues, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders, Multicultural concerns, Narcissism, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Prejudice and discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Sex addiction, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Workplace issues

Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Live Chat
Messaging

License information

WA LMHC LH 00003771

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Diana Elstad. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.

Diana is a perfect fit for me. Over the past few months, she has helped me understand and change my emotional habits. The first therapist I was matched with did not wor kout. I am so glad I asked for a different one and got connected to Diana.

Written on Jun 28, 2025 after therapy with Diana for 11 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, self esteem, and coping with life changes

I am always happy to write about how wonderful and wise Diana is. In sessions with her I look at her calm and loving face and know that I can trust her to listen to me and help me feel better about whatever is bothering me. She always seems to know the right thing to say, and I can say anything I need to, confident that she hears me and knows me and will never judge me harshly. In short, she is an exceptionally good and talented therapist whom I recommend most highly.


Written on May 12, 2025 after therapy with Diana for 3 years on issues concerning depression, trauma and abuse, grief, sleeping disorders, and bipolar disorder

I am so glad you paired me with Diana. She really pays attention and hears me. And the process of daily journaling prompts helps me keep up the work between qppointments.

Written on Mar 08, 2025 after therapy with Diana for 2 weeks on issues concerning family conflicts, and parenting issues

Diana is a great listener, supportive and is very helpful. I would recommend her to any one who asked.

Written on Jan 08, 2025 after therapy with Diana for 11 months on issues concerning depression, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, and anger management

Diana is a saint. She probably saved my life.

Written on Dec 19, 2024 after therapy with Diana for 1 year and 6 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, eating disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, compassion fatigue, and adhd

I've been working with Diana for years now because she's the best. She not only listens but wants me to open up and gives me tools for my mental health toolbox I use all the time. She's the best

Written on Dec 17, 2024 after therapy with Diana for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, grief, intimacy-related issues, and anger management