Diane Gaston

LCSW
Accepting Clients

I'm motivated to be a therapist by my desire to help guide clients to discover their own path on their journey of personal growth,.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker in San Diego, CA

Services
  • Individual
  • Couples
  • Family
  • Adolescent/Teen
  • Group
  • Medication Management

About My Clients

I have over 20 years of experience working with individuals, groups, families and couples who have presented with a wide range of issues. The areas in which I believe I have the strongest treatment success include depression, anxiety, family of origin, adult children from dysfunctional families, and addiction recovery with a specialty on smoking/tobacco cessation. I also have an extensive background in working with clients who have chronic mental illness, including bipolar, schizophrenia, etc.

My Background and Approach

I do consider my treatment approach as eclectic, but I do have techniques for which I favor in addressing the issues clients present in therapy. I have helped clients make great strides in their recovery with use of CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I have found this to be very effective as I use handouts as well as visual demonstrations on a white board to highlight patterns of errors in their thinking. This is especially effective with depression, anxiety, and anger management. Client Centered Therapy concepts are compatible with my belief that clients are capable of change, and possess the ability to find the solutions to their own problems. I have the belief, that it is important for me to demonstrate to my clients, that I am a human being first, who made the life decision to be a therapist. This helps me to present as genuine, relatable, believable to my client with the information and guidance that I provide. They can see that I too someone who deals with the being human.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I believe that a good therapist needs to have a good therapist. I have no doubt that I am a more effective clinician, because I am engaging in my own therapeutic process. It helps me to minimize countertransference that could arise with issues clients bring up that are parallel to mine. This allows me to monitor my self-disclosure so I am sharing just enough to help display empathy and compassion, but not so much that I would end up venturing into making it about me. I have had, and continue to have many personal challenges, and have been able to sensitively integrate my experiences in my work with clients. I am personally passionate about mental and developmental health issues. I have a child with autism and bipolar disorder, which has taught me a lot about the complexities of dual diagnosis. I have worked chronically mentally ill clients for many years, and am quite knowledgeable about all aspects of these disorders. But this is my child, so here is the personal human experience.

Insurance Plans Accepted
  • Optum
I offer online counseling in the following states:
I have experience with the following
  • Judaism

At A Glance

  • Experience: 26 years of practice
  • Languages: English
  • Rate: $70 - 100/session

Info

858-201-8496 Email Diane
9815 Carroll Canyon Rd
Suite 101
San Diego, CA 92131

Reach out to Diane