- Relationship focus
- Grief support
- Practical tools
About Cecilia
Cecilia Samartin is a licensed marriage and family therapist who helps people facing relationship struggles, grief, parenting stress, low self-esteem, and big life changes. She brings two decades of clinical experience and a calm, straightforward manner to sessions. Cecilia believes painful moments can lead to growth when they are looked at with curiosity and care.
Her approach centers on the person in front of her. She combines client-centered listening with narrative work to help people make sense of their stories. Cecilia also draws on cognitive behavioral tools and psychodynamic ideas to address patterns that keep hurting relationships and self-worth.
In sessions she encourages practical steps alongside deeper reflection. Clients often work on clearer communication, setting healthier boundaries, and shifting unhelpful thinking. She also supports people coping with abandonment issues, caregiving stress, body image concerns, and codependency.
Cecilia earned her LMFT credential and practices in California. Over twenty years of practice have given her experience with many life transitions and family-of-origin issues. She aims to make therapy an active, collaborative process focused on change that fits daily life.
People who choose her can expect attentive listening, direct feedback, and simple tools to try between meetings. Cecilia frames difficulties as opportunities to learn, and she supports each person as they work toward clearer relationships and more confidence.
How her approaches shape online work
Client-Centered Therapy is about listening closely and following the person's lead. The therapist gives empathic attention and helps each person name what matters most in their life and relationships. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new ways of thinking and acting to change emotions and behavior. CBT can be useful for anxiety, low mood, and patterns that affect relationships.Finding the best approach is a team effort. Cecilia will talk with each person about their goals and try methods that match those needs. She checks in about what helps and what does not, and adjusts the plan so the work feels useful and doable.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking, since formats are set by the therapist's practice. Online work can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so therapy is more consistent. It also supports using tools like thought records, communication exercises, and narrative writing between sessions to reinforce changes in everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
20+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She supports people dealing with relationship strain, grief, parenting stress, low self-esteem, and coping with life changes, plus related concerns such as codependency and communication problems.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is warm and practical, combining attentive listening with concrete steps. Sessions often mix open conversation with simple exercises to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has about 20 years of clinical experience working with people from diverse backgrounds and many life challenges.
What credentials and region are listed?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, practicing in California.
In what languages can sessions be held?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She is not taking international clients at this time.
How are session arrangements and cost handled?
Cost varies by location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to start working with her?
Choose the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to the therapist's availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.