Macarena Santelices, MD, LCPC, LPCC - Therapist in California

About Macarena

Macarena Santelices is a licensed clinician with 14 years of experience. She holds an MD and is licensed as an LCPC and LPCC. She practices in California and focuses on family and parenting concerns alongside stress, anxiety, relationships, self-esteem, and coping with life changes.

She treats practical problems in straightforward language. Sessions concentrate on what is happening now and on small steps a person can try between meetings. The therapist encourages clients to use their existing strengths while working toward clear goals.

Background and approach

She emphasizes meeting people where they are without judgment. Her approach blends methods from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and mindfulness practices. That means sessions often include learning new skills for emotion regulation, identifying unhelpful thought patterns, and practicing present-moment awareness.

These tools are used to address mood concerns, communication problems, and parenting stresses. Macarena aims to create a collaborative space. She works with each client to decide which techniques to try and adjusts plans based on what helps.

Progress tends to be practical and measurable, focusing on coping strategies and clearer communication within family life. She asks people to take the first step when ready. New clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Sessions can include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.

Evidence-Based Approaches Through Online Care

Macarena uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people spot unhelpful thoughts and test small behavior changes. CBT is useful for anxiety, low mood, and patterns that get in the way of daily life.

She also uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. DBT techniques can be helpful when feelings feel overwhelming or when relationships are strained.

Choosing the right approach is collaborative. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what feels most useful. Together they decide whether to focus on thought work, DBT skills, mindfulness exercises, or a mix of techniques.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit help into busy family schedules and to practice skills between meetings. The variety of options supports flexible scheduling and ongoing contact in ways that suit different routines and needs.

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.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Mindfulness Therapy

Attention training: noticing thoughts and physical feelings as they arrive without being carried off by them. Much of it is practice you do yourself, so guidance over video or audio works much as it would in person.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist address?

She helps with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, self-esteem, depression, and parenting. Additional areas include attachment, body image, caregiver stress, chronic illness, and communication problems.

What is her therapeutic style like?

Her style is straightforward and collaborative. She focuses on practical steps, skill-building, and using clients' strengths to meet clear goals.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She has 14 years of professional work experience in clinical settings. That history informs her practical focus and skill-based sessions.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds an MD and is licensed as an LCPC and LPCC with licence details MD LCPC LC11084 and CA LPCC 16678. She practices in California.

In which languages are sessions offered?

Sessions are offered in English.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different needs and schedules.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with her?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Family conflicts

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 14 years
Licensed: California, Maryland
Languages: English

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