Diane Gaston,LCSW, Psychotherapist, Consultant

Diane Gaston,LCSW, Psychotherapist, Consultant

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Telehealth Available
Professions: Clinical Social Worker, Psychotherapist, Social Worker
License Status: I'm a licensed professional.
Primary Credential: Licensed Clinical Social Worker - 19064
Billing and Insurance:
I am an in-network provider for:
  • Medi-Cal
Fees: $100 per session is my standard fee. Sliding scale is available, if needed, starting at $70.
Free Initial Phone Consultation
Weekend Availability
Evening Availability

Offices

9815 Carroll Canyon Rd.
Suite #101
San Diego, California 92131

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My Approach to Helping

In my 25 years of practice I have experience with a wide range of therapeutic modalities. I have an eclectic therapeutic style, but primarily I utilize the method known as client centered therapy. This approach was developed by Carl Rogers, who was one of the originators of the Humanistic therapy approach. Emphasis is on the importance of being your true self in order to lead the most fulfilling life. The core belief, is that people are innately good at heart and capable of making the right choices for themselves. Like Rogers, I believe that you are capable of change and possess the ability to find the solutions to your own problems. My role is to support and guide you as you face the obstacles that are causing disruptions in your life. I will help you identify obstacles that you don't have control over, and help you with acceptance of this. I will also assist you in identifying what you do have control over, such as how you react and respond to events in your life. I will use the technique of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, to help you recognize dysfunctional thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in response to events in your life. You will learn that you have been engaging in this process for many years, having created an automatic pattern causing you to feel stuck. Originally developed by Aaron Beck, and then later expanded on by David Burns, this is primarily a psychoeducational technique. Written exercises are used to reveal these dysfunctional patterns, as well as learning healthier ways to respond. Over the years I have used these, and a multitude of other techniques to help clients in their growth process. But human beings are complex, and there is not one catch-all approach to therapy. There are so many variables such as culture, family of origin history, traumas and losses, physical and other mental health challenges.... I believe that the key to successful therapy is the therapist client relationship. I think it's important to demonstrate to you, the client, that I am a human being first. This helps to promote trust, and allows you to feel safe enough to share your vulnerability with me. So as I get to know you, you can become confident that my training and clinical experience, will direct me to the best approaches to help compassionately guide you through your journey.

More Info About My Practice

I do strongly believe that the client therapist relationship is the key component in helping clients heal. I primarily an seeing clients in-person in my office It allows for the energy exchange between us, that can sometimes be one of the most healing interventions during particular therapeutic moments. I do offer Telehealth for clients who may have a challenge with transportation, including those which are geographically prohibitive. However, I request that clients come in to the office for the first few sessions, to fill out paperwork and to establish some therapeutic connection.
I do respectfully request to not come in if experiencing any cold or flu symptoms.
I will respond to referral requests within 24 hours, but typically will get back to you within 2 hours, if before 10PM. I know that reaching out and asking for help isn't easy, so I want to acknowledge your efforts with a timely reply.

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Services I Provide

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Ages I Work With

  • Teens
  • Adults
  • Elders

Languages

  • English

Groups I Work With

    Adults, families, couples, families with problem areas issues including, but not limited to, clients who are dealing with panic, anxiety and depression, clients who are in recovery from addiction, specializing in nicotine addiction and smoking cessation. I work well with clients who are dealing with adult children from dysfunctional families, i.e. substance abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse and divorce, as well as those who are dealing with complicated bereavement, current divorce and separation issues, relationship issues involving current
    or history of codependency, living with and caring for family members with physical or mental health issues.

Client Concerns I Treat

  • Abandonment
  • Addictions and Compulsions
  • Adjusting to Change / Life Transitions
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment Issues
  • Bipolar
  • Body Image
  • Breakup
  • Caregiver Issues / Stress
  • Chronic Illness / Disability
  • Chronic Pain
  • Codependency / Dependency
  • Communication Problems
  • Control Issues
  • Creative Blocks
  • Depression
  • Developmental Disorders (Autism, Aspergers, etc.)
  • Disability
  • Divorce / Divorce Adjustment
  • Drug and Alcohol Addiction
  • Dual Diagnosis
  • Emotional Overwhelm
  • Emptiness
  • Family of Origin Issues
  • Fear
  • Forgiveness
  • Grief, Loss, and Bereavement
  • Health / Illness / Medical Issues
  • Helplessness / Victimhood
  • Identity Issues
  • Inadequacy
  • Individuation
  • Infidelity / Affair Recovery
  • Irritability
  • Isolation
  • Life Purpose / Meaning / Inner-Guidance
  • Midlife Crisis / Midlife Transition
  • Mood Swings / Mood Disturbance
  • Narcissism
  • Obsessions and Compulsions (OCD)
  • Panic
  • Parenting
  • Perfectionism
  • Phobias
  • Psychosis
  • Rejection
  • Relationships and Marriage
  • Schizophrenia
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  • Self-Actualization
  • Self-Care
  • Self-Compassion
  • Self-Confidence
  • Self-Criticism
  • Self-Doubt
  • Self-Esteem
  • Self-Harm
  • Self-Love
  • Sensitivity to Criticism
  • Shame
  • Smoking Cessation
  • Social Anxiety / Phobia
  • Somatization
  • Stress
  • Suicidal Ideation and Behavior
  • Suspiciousness / Paranoia
  • Terminal Illness
  • Trust Issues
  • Values Clarification
  • Women's Issues
  • Workplace Issues
  • Worry
  • Worthlessness
  • Young Adult Issues
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Types of Therapy

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