Giancarlo Pia , LMSW, LCSW

Giancarlo Pia is a licensed social worker with credentials in California and Michigan. He holds an LCSW, which indicates a licensed clinical social worker, granted in California in 2008, and an LMSW-Clinical, a licensed master social worker credential obtained in Michigan in 2014.

He has worked with people facing anxiety, trauma, and depression, and he is experienced supporting clients through family conflict, grief and loss, parenting challenges, and issues related to substance use and recovery. He has also worked significantly with members of the LGBTIA+ community and with individuals who identify as gender fluid or non-binary.

Giancarlo approaches therapy from the perspective that each person is the expert on their own life and brings existing strengths that can be used to address current challenges. He emphasizes the courage involved in seeking change and frames his role as supportive and empowering, helping individuals take meaningful steps toward a more fulfilling and satisfying life.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Giancarlo uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. ACT focuses on clarifying personal values and taking committed action, which can be useful for stress, anxiety, and life transitions.

He also draws on Client-Centered Therapy, a collaborative, empathetic approach that prioritizes the client’s perspective and strengths. This method supports people coping with grief, family conflict, and parenting concerns by creating an accepting space for exploration.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is another tool he uses to identify patterns of thinking and behavior that contribute to problems like depression or anxiety, and then to develop practical strategies for change.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Giancarlo works together with each person to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. That collaborative exploration helps shape a plan that feels manageable and relevant.

Online therapy with Giancarlo offers flexible options for participation, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, access care from different locations within his practice area, and continue work between sessions when helpful.