- CBT methods
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness practice
About Macarena
Macarena Santelices is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) with 14 years of clinical experience. She is licensed in California and Maryland and works with people who bring concerns such as stress, anxiety, relationship problems, family issues, self-esteem, depression, parenting challenges, and coping with life changes.
She focuses on practical, skill-based work. Sessions tend to look at patterns that keep problems going and teach concrete strategies to change them. The overall aim is to help people manage distressing feelings, improve communication, and build more reliable routines.
Macarena uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy in her practice. That means clients may learn how thoughts influence mood, practice skills for handling intense emotions, and build attention skills that reduce reactivity.
She encourages a collaborative approach where the client’s goals guide the work. Early sessions often clarify priorities and try a few techniques to see what fits. Progress is measured by whether daily life feels more manageable and relationships become easier to navigate.
Sessions are offered in English and reflect her years working with a range of common life challenges. Prospective clients are asked to follow the site process to view online therapy options, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule an initial session.
Therapeutic approaches and what online work looks like
Macarena commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy in her online work. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing them against real situations, which can reduce anxious thinking and improve mood. DBT teaches concrete skills for managing intense emotions, tolerating distress, and improving interpersonal effectiveness.She also incorporates Mindfulness Therapy, which involves simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and increase awareness of the present moment. These practices can help people notice automatic reactions and choose different responses over time.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Macarena will work with each client to clarify goals, try methods, and adjust the plan based on what helps. The aim is to find strategies that fit the client’s life and feel practical to use between sessions.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Some formats may be better for simpler updates while others support deeper skills practice; discuss preferences and constraints when you schedule to find what works best.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
14+ years
Listed in
California, Maryland
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family issues, self-esteem, depression, parenting, and coping with life changes.
What approach does she use in sessions?
She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and Mindfulness Therapy to teach practical skills and change unhelpful patterns.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 14 years of professional experience working with common life and emotional concerns.
What credentials and locations apply to her practice?
She holds LCPC and LPCC credentials and is licensed in California and Maryland.
Which languages are offered for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.