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CS Portrait of Cecilia Samartin

Cecilia Samartin

Guiding growth through meaning and practical skills

LMFT California

Experience
20 years in practice
Focus areas
Relationship, Grief, Parenting
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Client-Centered Therapy
Languages
English
Continue with Cecilia

About Cecilia

Cecilia Samartin is an LMFT in California who focuses on relationship struggles, grief, parenting challenges, low self-esteem, and coping with life changes.

Background and approach

She brings two decades of clinical experience to her work and emphasizes helping clients find meaning amid suffering so they can move forward with more confidence and clarity. Cecilia views painful experiences as opportunities for growth and encourages clients to learn from setbacks as part of a healing process.

Her style blends client-centered care with narrative and evidence-informed techniques, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and psychodynamic ideas when appropriate. Cecilia helps people reframe narratives about themselves and their relationships, build practical coping skills, and explore deeper patterns that influence emotions and behavior.

She describes the therapeutic journey as collaborative and creative, and considers it a privilege to support clients as they work toward their goals and greater well-being.

Approaches and Accessibility in Online Therapy

Client-centered therapy focuses on understanding each person's experience and offering empathic support so clients feel heard and valued; it helps when someone needs a nonjudgmental space to explore feelings and decisions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets patterns of thought and behavior, teaching practical skills to manage symptoms like low self-esteem, anxiety about relationships, or difficulties coping with life changes. Narrative therapy invites clients to examine and re-author the stories they tell about themselves and their relationships, which can be especially useful for grief, identity questions, and recurring relational patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work and Cecilia partners with each client to determine what fits best based on their goals, preferences, and life context. She combines methods as needed and adjusts interventions collaboratively so the process feels tailored rather than prescriptive.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to continue care from different locations within California. These options allow licensed professionals to deliver consistent support while accommodating communication styles and day-to-day constraints.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?
Cecilia supports people dealing with relationship difficulties, grief, parenting stress, self-esteem problems, and coping with life changes. Her additional focus includes matters such as attachment, communication, and family of origin issues.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach and style?
She uses a client-centered, collaborative style that incorporates narrative methods and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients reframe thoughts and build skills. Psychodynamic and solution-focused ideas may also inform the work depending on needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 20 years of clinical experience working with a wide range of concerns and life challenges.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is a licensed marriage and family therapist with the credential CA LMFT 130831 and practices in California.
Does she work with clients who speak other languages or live abroad?
She conducts therapy in English and is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered for online work?
Sessions are available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different preferences and schedules.
How are fees and payments handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the process to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Relationship issuesGriefParenting issuesSelf esteemCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsForgivenessGuilt and shameImmigration issuesInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPersonality disordersPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Narrative TherapyPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

20+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English