Gia Castiglia Schwarzer , LMFT

Gia Castiglia Schwarzer is a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with seven years of professional experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, relationship challenges, parenting concerns, grief, and life transitions. She approaches therapy with the belief that each person is the expert on their own story and already carries many strengths that can be used to address current difficulties. Gia aims to help clients recognize and connect with those internal resources so they can develop practical, sustainable solutions.

Gia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science from U.C. Irvine and a Master of Arts in Psychology from Chapman University in Orange, California. After obtaining her license, she took time away from practice to have a family and later returned to counseling. Her background includes work in private practice and in school settings, and she holds dual certification from the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association - EAGALA - as both a Mental Health Practitioner and an Equine Specialist.

Her therapeutic stance is collaborative and client-centered, using guided discovery to identify approaches that feel natural and useful. She integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - and interpersonal therapy resources to help clients notice patterns, test new strategies, and build skills that address symptoms and improve relationships. Gia offers a warm, encouraging presence to support people taking the often courageous first steps toward change.

CBT-informed strategies and interpersonal focus for online care

Gia uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT - to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, test new ways of thinking, and build skills to reduce symptoms like anxiety and low mood. CBT is practical and goal-oriented, making it a useful approach for stress, anxiety, and coping with life changes.

She also draws on interpersonal therapy resources to explore relationship patterns and communication styles, which can be helpful for couples, family concerns, parenting challenges, and intimacy-related issues. This work focuses on improving how people relate to others and manage difficult interactions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Gia works collaboratively with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adjusts strategies over time as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by licensed professionals using video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexible options that fit different schedules and comfort levels. These modalities make it easier to connect from home or other convenient locations while maintaining continuity of care and meeting clients where they are.