Therapist
Claudia Santiago
LCSW
Compassionate therapist for practical change
Continue with Claudia
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Step 1
- Client-centered care
- CBT and mindfulness
- English and Spanish
About Claudia
Claudia Santiago is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) in California with 12 years of experience. She focuses on helping people manage anxiety, depression, trauma, and major life changes in a calm, straightforward way. Claudia speaks English and Spanish and aims to make sessions approachable for people from different backgrounds.
Claudia uses practical tools to reduce symptoms and improve daily life. She blends client-centered listening with techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness practices are offered to help with stress, sleep problems, and grounding after distressing experiences.
She also works with people facing addictions, bipolar mood challenges, grief, and low self-esteem. Relationship and communication struggles come up often, and she uses parts of the Gottman Method to focus on improving connection and problem-solving between partners. Claudia pays attention to attachment and abandonment issues that affect long-term patterns.
Sessions are collaborative and goal-oriented. Claudia helps people set small, realistic steps and tracks progress over time. Motivational interviewing techniques are used when someone is ready to change behaviors related to substance use or health habits.
Her approach recognizes the overlap of mental health and physical conditions, so chronic pain, illness, and caregiver stress are included in care. If you’re wondering whether this is a fit, the first visit focuses on your goals and what would help most right now.
Claudia uses practical tools to reduce symptoms and improve daily life. She blends client-centered listening with techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Mindfulness practices are offered to help with stress, sleep problems, and grounding after distressing experiences.
She also works with people facing addictions, bipolar mood challenges, grief, and low self-esteem. Relationship and communication struggles come up often, and she uses parts of the Gottman Method to focus on improving connection and problem-solving between partners. Claudia pays attention to attachment and abandonment issues that affect long-term patterns.
Sessions are collaborative and goal-oriented. Claudia helps people set small, realistic steps and tracks progress over time. Motivational interviewing techniques are used when someone is ready to change behaviors related to substance use or health habits.
Her approach recognizes the overlap of mental health and physical conditions, so chronic pain, illness, and caregiver stress are included in care. If you’re wondering whether this is a fit, the first visit focuses on your goals and what would help most right now.
Step 2
Areas of expertise
Also works with
AddictionsLGBTRelationship issuesFamily conflictsSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDissociationDrug and alcohol addictionEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesForgivenessGender dysphoriaGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPolyamory / non-monogamous relationshipsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTrichotillomaniaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingSolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused Therapy
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Step 3
How Claudia’s approaches translate to online work
Claudia commonly uses client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy to guide her work. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening, reflecting, and helping a person identify their own goals and strengths. Cognitive behavioral therapy involves identifying unhelpful thoughts and practicing new behaviors to reduce symptoms like anxiety and depression.She also incorporates mindfulness techniques to help manage stress, improve sleep, and stay grounded during difficult moments. These methods tend to blend well with collaborative care, so Claudia will work with each person to decide which tools feel most useful and relevant.
Finding the right approach is part of the process. Claudia will discuss goals, preferences, and any practical concerns in early sessions and adjust methods as needed. This is a team effort where the therapist and client choose strategies together.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and use shorter check-ins when needed. It also allows for practicing skills in real-world settings and bringing immediate challenges into sessions for real-time work.
Step 4
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does Claudia support?
She helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, addictions, bipolar challenges, ADHD, and related issues like self-esteem and relationship problems.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is collaborative and affirming, combining client-centered listening with practical skills to address thoughts, behaviors, and daily routines.
How much experience does she have?
Claudia has 12 years of clinical experience working with a range of emotional and behavioral concerns.
What credentials and location should I know about?
She is a licensed clinical social worker, LCSW, practicing in California.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does pricing work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What are the first steps to start therapy?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Step 5