PuttingFamilyFirst

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CS Portrait of Claudia Santiago
Online therapist

Claudia Santiago

Compassionate, practical therapy for life challenges

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Credentials
LCSW
Experience
12 years
Licensed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Format
Online sessions

About Claudia

Claudia Santiago is a licensed clinical social worker who focuses on practical, down-to-earth support. She uses plain language and collaborative problem-solving to help people facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, and other emotional struggles. Claudia speaks both English and Spanish and brings 12 years of clinical experience in California to each session.

She blends evidence-based methods into straightforward strategies that people can try between sessions. Claudia often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors.

Background and approach

She also applies Client-Centered Therapy to follow each person's pace and priorities. Mindfulness techniques are used to ground attention and reduce overwhelm. Claudia pays attention to relationship patterns and communication, including work with intimacy, commitment concerns, blended family issues, and codependency.

She also addresses identity-linked concerns such as LGBT issues, self-esteem, and body image. Practical coping skills for sleep problems, anger, and compassion fatigue are part of her toolkit. Her background includes extensive experience with trauma, addiction, chronic health challenges, and complex presentations like co-morbidity and dissociation.

She draws on Motivational Interviewing when people want support making changes, and the Gottman Method when relationship communication needs structure. In sessions she focuses on small, manageable steps. The aim is clearer thinking, steadier mood, and better day-to-day functioning.

Parents and caregivers who mention parenting or family concerns can expect concrete strategies and respectful collaboration.

How Claudia's approaches translate to online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and following the persons lead. Online sessions using this approach let the therapist respond to what matters most to the client and adjust pace and goals accordingly. This is useful for people who want a supportive space to process feelings and decide next steps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps identify thoughts and habits that keep problems going and replaces them with more helpful patterns. In remote sessions Claudia can assign simple exercises and thought records and review progress together, which can be helpful for anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and some forms of addiction.

Motivational Interviewing is a brief, change-focused approach that helps people clarify what they want and build intrinsic motivation. It works well when someone is weighing options such as lifestyle changes or steps toward recovery.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Claudia will discuss options with each person and choose methods that match goals, needs, and comfort level. That choice happens together and can shift as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect: live video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, keep continuity during life changes, and review notes or exercises between meetings. Licensed professionals can use these formats to deliver most of the same guidance they provide in person, while adapting tools and homework to each persons routine.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Gottman Method

A research-based framework for couples, focused on how partners argue, repair, and stay connected. Practical and structured, with exercises to try between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Claudia address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma and abuse, addictions, and many relationship and identity concerns listed in her profile.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach is collaborative and client-centered, combining clear guidance with listening to the persons priorities and pace.
How much clinical experience does she have?
Claudia has 12 years of professional experience working as a licensed therapist in California.
What are her credentials and where does she practice?
She holds the license CA LCSW 109498 and practices as a licensed clinical social worker in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
Therapy sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How are costs and scheduling handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select Start Therapy, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience
12 years
Licensed
California
Languages
English, Spanish

Next step

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