Gillian Van Dien

Gillian Van Dien, LPC, helps people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and the effects of trauma and abuse. She offers a calm presence and practical support for issues like low self-esteem, grief, intimacy concerns, eating and body image problems, parenting strains, and career or life changes.

Her style is collaborative and straightforward. She listens for patterns that keep people stuck and works with them to try different ways of responding. Sessions focus on real-life skills - communication, managing strong feelings, and building daily habits that support wellbeing.

Gillian draws on several therapy approaches to fit each person’s needs. She uses Trauma-Focused Therapy to address the impact of painful past events, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to clarify values and take meaningful steps, and Attachment-Based ideas to strengthen close relationships. Cognitive Behavioral techniques are used to notice and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

With 17 years of experience as a licensed professional counselor in Wisconsin, she has worked with people navigating midlife changes, cultural pressures, caregiving stress, chronic illness, and compounding losses. That background informs practical strategies for coping and rebuilding day-to-day life.

Sessions tend to emphasize small, manageable changes and steady progress. Gillian aims to help clients reconnect with purpose, reduce reactive patterns, and find clearer ways to handle relationships and everyday stressors.

How therapy approaches shape online work

Trauma-Focused Therapy looks at how past painful events affect present thoughts, feelings, and relationships. It focuses on reducing distress linked to those memories and building skills to manage strong reactions.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take steps toward those values, even when hard feelings are present. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions where motivation and meaning are concerns.

Attachment-Based Therapy emphasizes how early and current relationship patterns influence trust, intimacy, and communication. It can help people notice patterns and practice new ways of relating to others.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with clients about goals, preferences, and what feels helpful, then try methods that match those needs. This is a collaborative process and may shift over time as progress is reviewed.

If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking. Many people find online work easier to fit into a busy schedule, allowing shorter check-ins or sessions that match a weekday break. Online sessions can also make it simpler to keep up with regular sessions when travel, caregiving, or work makes in-person visits difficult.