- Compassionate and culturally responsive
- English and Spanish
- LMFT in California
About Heather
Heather Zarate Santiago is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) practicing in California. She brings seven years of clinical experience helping people who feel overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, parenting struggles, trauma, and low self-esteem. Heather speaks English and Spanish and aims to make therapy approachable for busy lives.
Heather focuses on clear, practical work in sessions. She listens for patterns in communication and behavior and helps clients try small changes that can make daily life easier. Discussions often cover coping with anxiety, managing ADHD-related challenges, and handling the emotional fallout of separation or infidelity.
Her style is compassionate and culturally responsive. She works with each person’s background and values when deciding what to try next. Sessions include skill-building, reflection, and setting realistic goals people can use between meetings.
Heather also supports people facing caregiver stress, immigration-related challenges, and the effects of past abuse. She pays attention to relationship dynamics and helps clients improve communication and rebuild trust when possible.
People looking for help with social anxiety, phobias, or life purpose can expect a practical, step-by-step approach. Heather emphasizes resilience and self-compassion while guiding clients toward clearer thinking and healthier routines. To get started, readers should use the site Start Therapy flow and complete the short matching questionnaire.
Approaches that guide online care
Evidence-based therapeutic techniques are part of her practice. One common approach focuses on building coping skills for anxiety and stress, using practical exercises and breathing or grounding strategies to reduce worry and improve daily functioning. Another approach addresses trauma and its effects by helping people process difficult memories, notice triggers, and develop safer ways to manage intense emotions.Choosing the right approach is a team effort. Heather collaborates with clients to match methods to their goals, preferences, and life demands. She checks in regularly and adjusts what they try together if something is not helping.
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for consistent check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also let someone do a shorter check-in or avoid being on camera when that helps them engage. Licensed professionals and therapists use these practical benefits to help clients maintain momentum between visits and work on daily coping skills.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, self-esteem, and ADHD. Additional focus areas include caregiver stress, communication problems, divorce and separation, and family problems.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Sessions are practical and collaborative, centering on listening, skill-building, and realistic steps clients can try between meetings. The approach is compassionate and culturally responsive.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has seven years of experience working with diverse communities on issues like anxiety, trauma, and parenting.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She is an LMFT, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and she practices in California.
Which languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can international clients work with her?
She is not currently accepting international clients.
How are sessions paid for and what does cost look like?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability and is managed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing the short matching questionnaire, then schedule a session based on the therapist's availability.