About Heather
Heather Zarate Santiago is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who helps people manage anxiety, trauma, parenting stress, and self-esteem struggles. She brings seven years of clinical experience to her work in California. Heather speaks English and Spanish and aims to make therapy approachable and practical for everyday life.
She focuses on clear, usable tools rather than only talk. Sessions often include noting patterns in thinking and behavior, practicing new ways to respond, and building routines that reduce overwhelm.
Background and approach
Heather listens for cultural and personal contexts that shape how someone experiences stress and anxiety. Many people come to her worried about panic, social fears, or specific phobias. Heather also supports those facing life transitions, divorce and separation, immigration-related concerns, and caregiver strain.
She helps clients break problems into smaller steps and set simple, realistic goals. Her style is warm and non-judgmental. She aims to create a steady space where people can try new approaches and notice small improvements.
Heather balances validation with practical skill building so clients leave with tools they can use between sessions. Heather offers sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging. New clients start by answering a short matching questionnaire and scheduling a time that fits their availability.
She works collaboratively to shape each plan to the person’s needs and goals.
Approaches that guide online care
Heather uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that translate well to remote sessions. One common approach focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and changing responses to stressful situations; this helps with anxiety, social fears, and everyday worry. Another approach centers on building coping skills and routines to manage trauma reactions and caregiver stress, teaching concrete practices people can use between sessions.Finding the right approach is a team effort. Heather works with each person to test what feels useful and adjusts methods based on goals and preferences. That collaborative process helps shape a plan that fits the client’s life and priorities rather than a fixed protocol.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text messaging provide brief check-ins or shorter updates between appointments. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, school, or caregiving schedules while keeping continuity of care with licensed professionals.
Questions people ask
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How much experience does she have?
What are her credentials and where is she based?
Which languages are offered for sessions?
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How does billing and getting started work?
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Trauma and abuse
- Parenting issues
Also listed
- Experience
- 7 years
- Licensed
- California
- Languages
- English, Spanish
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