- Client-centered
- Practical strategies
- Collaborative planning
About Maura
Dr. Maura Castellanos began her mental health career more than a decade ago as a chemical dependency technician. She moved into graduate training to deepen her work and completed a doctorate in clinical psychology after earning a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. She now practices in California as a CA Psychologist 32123 and brings twelve years of clinical experience to her work.
Her path includes work in private practice, community clinics, hospitals, and correctional settings. That range gave her experience supporting people with addiction, mood concerns, trauma, and a variety of life transitions. She has provided psychological assessment and intervention for children, adolescents, and adults across those settings.
In sessions she emphasizes a client-centered stance. That means she starts by listening and learning what matters to each person. She then collaborates on a flexible plan that draws on different methods to match a person's needs and goals.
Dr. Castellanos uses practical strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy when helpful. She also uses existential and solution-focused ideas to help people clarify meaning and set concrete steps forward. Her approach is goal-oriented but responsive to the whole person in front of her.
She commonly helps people with stress, anxiety, addiction concerns, depression, relationship and family issues, grief, parenting strain, ADHD, and codependency. She also works with people coping with chronic illness, caregiver stress, guilt and shame, and feelings of emptiness. If you want a straightforward conversation about next steps, she invites you to reach out and start the process.
How her approaches translate to online care
Dr. Castellanos draws on client-centered therapy to prioritize each person's story and goals, creating room to be heard and understood. That approach helps people feel seen and to shape therapy around their values and needs.She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy when practical skill-building is helpful. CBT focuses on identifying patterns of thought and behavior and practicing new responses, which can be useful for anxiety, mood concerns, and coping with cravings or stress.
Finding the right mix of methods is a cooperative process. She works with clients to decide whether to emphasize skills, explore meaning, or set short-term goals. That choice is guided by the client's priorities, current challenges, and what feels most useful in session.
Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, such as scheduling a midday check-in or avoiding travel time. Some people find virtual sessions let them maintain continuity during life changes or when mobility is limited. Because the therapist's session formats are not specified here, confirm current options before booking so you know how sessions will be arranged.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does this therapist help with?
She supports people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, depression, trauma, relationship and family problems, grief, sleep issues, parenting strain, ADHD, and codependency among other concerns.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative, starting with listening and then building a tailored plan that mixes practical techniques and meaning-focused work.
What is her background and experience?
She began in chemical dependency work and has twelve years of experience across private practice, community clinics, hospitals, and correctional settings.
What credentials and region are listed for this clinician?
She is listed as CA Psychologist 32123 and practices in California.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with this therapist?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How does billing and cost work for sessions?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What should I do to begin working with this therapist?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist 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.