- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Solution-Focused Therapy
About Maura
Dr. Maura Castellanos is a California psychologist with 12 years of clinical experience. She holds the credential CA Psychologist 32123 and has worked across private practice, community clinics, hospitals, and correctional settings. She offers help for common concerns such as stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, grief, and sleep problems.
Her professional path began as a chemical dependency technician in a dual diagnosis treatment setting. She returned to school for a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy, then completed a doctorate in clinical psychology. That mix of front-line addiction work and advanced clinical training shapes how she sees problems now.
Dr. Castellanos uses a client-centered stance. That means she focuses on the person first and collaborates on next steps. She combines this with cognitive behavioral ideas and solution-focused strategies to make sessions practical and outcome-oriented.
In practice she helps people untangle anger that comes up at work or home, manage cravings and addictive behaviors, and address life transitions. She also works with issues such as family of origin problems, caregiver stress, codependency, and feelings of emptiness.
Sessions aim to identify patterns that keep problems repeating and to try small, concrete changes. She draws on existential thinking when people are wrestling with meaning, midlife questions, or major life shifts. Her approach is straightforward and action-minded, with space to talk through how changes feel.
How her approaches translate to online work
Dr. Castellanos integrates client-centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in online sessions. Client-centered therapy focuses on listening to the whole person and collaborating on goals; it helps when someone needs space to name concerns and priorities. Cognitive behavioral therapy looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions and is used to try concrete behavior changes for anger, anxiety, or mood problems.Finding the right approach is part of the work. She treats approach selection as a collaborative decision, adapting methods based on a person’s goals, challenges, and preferences. Sessions can shift between exploring meaning with existential questions and practicing CBT tools for managing strong emotions.
The practical benefits of online sessions include fitting therapy around work or family schedules and avoiding travel time. Confirm the current session formats before booking, as formats are not listed in the biography. Many people find remote sessions help them maintain regular check-ins, use brief sessions during a work break, or choose audio over video when that is easier. Licensed professionals guide the process so therapy methods suit everyday life and specific problems like anger management or addiction recovery.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
California
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, sleep problems, grief, parenting strain, and related concerns listed in her specialties.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is client-centered and collaborative, using practical cognitive behavioral and solution-focused techniques alongside existential reflection.
How many years has she been practicing?
She has 12 years of experience in settings that include private practice, community clinics, hospitals, and correctional facilities.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is listed as CA Psychologist 32123 and practices in California.
Does she offer sessions in other languages?
Sessions are offered in English.
Are international clients accepted?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.