Profile / United States
Dr. Maura Castellanos, CA Psychologist 32123
California
California psychologist - Stress and anxiety
See online therapy options- CBT and practical skills
- Client-centered work
- Trauma and addictions
About Maura
Dr. Maura Castellanos is a California psychologist with 12 years of clinical experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, addictions, anger, depression, grief, relationship and family concerns, trauma and abuse, sleep difficulties, parenting challenges, ADHD, and life changes.
She began in chemical dependency treatment and returned to school for a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy, then earned a doctorate in clinical psychology. Her work spans private practice, community clinics, hospitals, and correctional settings. That range informs how she evaluates problems and plans care.
Dr. Castellanos draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy alongside client-centered, existential, and solution-focused approaches. Sessions emphasize noticing unhelpful thoughts and testing practical changes in daily life. She combines short-term strategies with attention to broader life meaning when relevant.
In meetings she listens for what causes recurring stress and for patterns that keep problems going. She helps people set clear, manageable goals and tries concrete steps to reach them. Progress is reviewed regularly so the plan can change if needed.
She also addresses specific concerns such as caregiver stress, chronic illness and pain, codependency, substance use, family of origin problems, guilt and shame, isolation, and career or financial stress. Her background includes work with children, adolescents, and adults, and she uses assessment and intervention methods appropriate to each person’s concerns.
Sessions are conducted in English in California, and international clients are not accepted. Prospective clients are asked to confirm current session options before booking.
How her approaches translate to online work
Dr. Castellanos commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thought patterns and daily habits; this approach fits concerns like anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and ADHD by focusing on concrete skills and behavior trials. She also draws on client-centered therapy, which emphasizes listening and collaboration to clarify goals and priorities during sessions. Finding the right combination of methods is part of the early work. She will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or has not helped before, and then suggest approaches to try together. That collaborative planning helps set short-term steps and decide whether to adjust the approach over time. Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm the available options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule, shorten travel time, and permit brief check-ins when needed. In practical terms, some people choose video when they want face-to-face interaction, while others prefer audio for lower data use or shorter sessions that fit a break at work. Ask about current session types when you schedule to choose what fits your routine.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 help with most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, anger, trauma and abuse, relationship and family concerns, parenting and sleep problems, ADHD, and life transitions.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
CBT is used to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits and to try practical changes. Sessions focus on testing new behaviors and reviewing what helps.
What is her professional background?
She started as a chemical dependency technician, completed a master’s in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy, and earned a doctorate in clinical psychology, with work across clinics, hospitals, and correctional settings.
What credential does she hold and where does she practice?
She is listed as CA Psychologist 32123 and practices in California.
What languages are supported in sessions?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Click the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.