- Years in practice
- 7
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- California
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Grief
About Gia
Gia Castiglia Schwarzer is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with seven years of clinical experience. She focuses on everyday problems like stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, and parenting concerns. Gia aims to help people notice their strengths and use those strengths to handle hard situations.
She views clients as the experts on their own lives. Sessions focus on practical steps and clear goals. Gia helps people identify small changes they can make and connects those steps to real-life challenges.
Background and approach
She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques when helpful. Gia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science from the University of California, Irvine, and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University in Orange, California.
Her background includes work in independent practice and in school settings, and she returned to counseling after taking time away to raise a family. In sessions she helps people locate strengths they may not notice at first and then applies those strengths to family and parenting concerns, young adult issues, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue.
Work can include skills practice, thought and behavior tracking, and problem-solving conversations. Gia encourages a gradual, collaborative pace. She aims to make the first steps feel manageable and to help clients build tools they can continue using outside of sessions.
What Gia works with
Everything Gia lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Gia helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Addictions
- Family conflicts
- Trauma and abuse
- Intimacy-related issues
- Anger management
- Depression
- Coping with life changes
- Compassion fatigue
- Young adult issues
Approaches Gia lists
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
CBT-informed care and flexible online sessions
Gia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. CBT involves identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and trying small behavioral experiments to change them. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and parenting-related worries.Her style is collaborative. She works with clients to choose which techniques fit their goals and daily life. Deciding on an approach is a team effort and may shift as needs change during therapy.
Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different schedules and needs. Video calls let people use visual cues and longer conversation time. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to check in during a busy day or to have shorter, more frequent touchpoints. These options make it simpler to keep therapy consistent around work, family, and other commitments.
Questions people ask about Gia
What kinds of concerns can Gia help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship strain, parenting concerns, self-esteem, addictions, trauma and abuse, intimacy issues, anger, coping with life changes, compassion fatigue, and young adult issues.
What is her general therapy style?
Gia uses a collaborative, practical approach that centers the client's strengths. She applies Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques and problem-solving conversations to create usable tools.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has seven years of professional experience working in independent practice and school settings, with time taken away from practice to raise a family before returning to counseling.
What credentials and location are listed for this therapist?
She is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, listed as LMFT, and practices in California.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
What session formats does she offer online?
Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How does pricing work for her sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with this therapist?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.
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