Zehra Dos Santos

Compassionate skills-focused therapy for change

LCSW California

Experience: 3 years in practice
Focus areas: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression
Approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages: English

About Zehra

Zehra Dos Santos is a California-licensed clinical social worker who supports people coping with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, and major life transitions. She draws on a strengths-based perspective, encouraging clients to recognize their existing resources and to build practical skills for day-to-day struggles.

Background and approach

Zehra frames the work as collaborative and empowering, inviting clients to take an active role in shaping goals and steps toward a more fulfilling life. With three years of professional practice, she integrates evidence-informed methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), mindfulness techniques, and client-centered principles.

These approaches inform a flexible style that balances skill teaching with empathetic listening, helping clients address concerns including abandonment, communication difficulties, control issues, forgiveness, immigration-related stress, life purpose, aging and geriatric questions, and women’s issues.

Zehra emphasizes that starting therapy is a courageous choice and offers steady support as clients experiment with new ways of coping and relating to themselves.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online therapy

CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors; it teaches concrete strategies for managing anxiety, low mood, and stress by practicing new skills and testing beliefs in daily life. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes clarifying personal values and learning to accept difficult internal experiences while committing to meaningful action, which can be helpful for life transitions and questions about purpose. Client-centered therapy prioritizes empathic listening and collaboration, creating space for clients to explore concerns at their own pace and build self-directed insight.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the work together. The therapist collaborates with each person to decide which methods fit their goals, preferences, and the specific issues they bring, and adapts techniques over time based on progress and feedback.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules and to access care across distances. These options allow licensed professionals to use the same CBT, ACT, mindfulness, and client-centered tools in ways that suit a client's daily routine and communication style, supporting consistent practice and skill-building between sessions.

Frequently asked questions

Which concerns does Zehra commonly address?

She works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem struggles, depression, and coping with life changes, and also focuses on issues such as abandonment, communication problems, control issues, forgiveness, immigration concerns, life purpose, aging and women's issues.

What is Zehra's therapeutic style?

Her approach blends practical skill teaching with empathic, client-centered work; she encourages clients to use their strengths while learning strategies to manage thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

How much professional experience does she have?

Zehra has three years of professional practice as a licensed clinician working with the concerns listed in her profile.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds an LCSW license in California, listed as CA LCSW 116426, and practices from that state.

Can sessions be conducted in other languages or internationally?

Sessions are offered in English, and she does accept international clients.

Which session formats are available?

Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on their needs and schedule.

How are fees and subscriptions handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What should I do to begin working together?

To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions based on therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, Anxiety Self esteem Depression Coping with life changes

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesForgivenessImmigration issuesLife purposeWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused Therapy

Experience

3+ years

Licensed

California

Languages

English