

Hello, I’m Mayra Santamaria, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and I’m glad you’re here.
I specialize in working with children, adolescents, families as well as young adults and supporting them through a range of emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. I use developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approaches tailored to each client’s unique needs, whether that includes building emotional regulation skills, improving communication, strengthening relationships, or navigating life transitions.
Hola, soy Mayra Santamaria, Trabajadora Social Clínica Licenciada, y me da mucho gusto que estés aquí.
Me especializo en trabajar con niños, adolescentes, familias, y jovenes adultos brindando apoyo ante una variedad de desafíos emocionales, conductuales y relacionales. Utilizo enfoques basados en evidencia y apropiados para cada etapa del desarrollo, adaptados a las necesidades únicas de cada persona, ya sea para desarrollar habilidades de regulación emocional, mejorar la comunicación, fortalecer relaciones o afrontar transiciones de vida.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (2023) with nearly 30 years of experience in the field of social work. I have extensive experience supporting adults, older adults, and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, caregiver stress, and major life transitions. My approach is warm, collaborative, and grounded in evidence‐based care. I focus on helping clients build resilience, strengthen coping skills, and create meaningful, sustainable change at a pace that feels safe and comfortable.
My background spans behavioral health, medical social work, hospice, and community‐based services. I have worked in hospitals, group homes, county systems of care, and multidisciplinary teams. This broad experience allows me to understand the emotional, social, medical, and environmental factors that shape a person’s well‐being — and to tailor treatment to the whole person.
My therapy style is centered on warmth, empathy, and inclusivity. Drawing from my extensive experience working with diverse populations, I strive to create a safe, non-judgmental space where everyone feels heard, valued, and understood. Everyone brings unique experiences, and my goal is to ensure that our work together honors your cultural, spiritual, and personal life story.
I am a clinical psychologist licensed in California and Illinois, and can see clients from both states. I have worked with clients in the areas of depression, anxiety, relationships issues, addictions, stress management, sport and performance, bipolar disorder, and binge eating disorder. My therapy style is personable, connected, focused, and attuned.
I have a Master’s degree in Family Therapy and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with specialization in Depth Psychology. That means I’m going to work both with your responses to the external system that you live in and with the deep psychological parts of you that go back to your childhood. Finally, I am certified in Hypnosis and have several years of meditation and mindfulness training, and also use those perspectives to help my clients.
I believe in a person's ability to grow and as a clinician, the experience of guiding another in the process of growth, is invigorating and has fueled my passion for over 40 years in the helping professions. My education focused on addictions, and marriage, family, and child psychology and my work experience has included a variety of therapeutic settings and issues with adults, families, adolescents, and children.
Hi & Welcome. We all face challenges at times throughout our lives. We may need support finding self-awareness and compassion which I believe is the key in the healing process. I enjoy acting as an empowering guide along your journey. I believe in our innate capacity to change and create a meaningful and UPLIFTING life. My goal for you is to foster a safe, accepting and also challenging space that encourages personal growth and empowers you to make positive changes that support your values.
Welcome! As a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist, I have 10 years of experience helping individual clients and couples reach their goals and overcome challenges that are holding them back in their lives and relationships.


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