- Years in practice
- 7
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- California
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
- Focus
- Parenting issues
About Heather
Heather Zarate Santiago is a licensed marriage and family therapist who focuses on practical help for people facing stress, anxiety, trauma, and parenting challenges. She brings seven years of clinical experience and works with English and Spanish speakers in California. Her style is warm and direct, aimed at helping people make small, useful changes.
Heather listens for patterns in communication and behavior that get in the way of daily life.
Background and approach
She helps clients name what feels overwhelming and learn skills to manage anxiety, impulsivity, and stress. When trauma or past hurt is part of the story, she helps people find ways to feel safer and more grounded over time. Parents who are worn out by caregiving demands can expect down-to-earth strategies for managing burnout and improving routine, boundaries, and connection.
She also supports people navigating separation, infidelity, immigration stress, and challenges that affect self-esteem. Goals are practical and focused on what a person wants to change now. Sessions are conversational and collaborative.
Heather offers a nonjudgmental space where clients can try new ways of communicating and practicing coping skills between visits. She emphasizes resilience and helps people reconnect with strengths they may have stopped noticing. Her approach blends evidence-based techniques with cultural awareness.
Heather draws on her experience to tailor next steps to each person’s circumstances. Work with her begins by discussing immediate needs and then building a plan that fits daily life.
What Heather works with
Everything Heather lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Heather helps people with.
Evidence-based tools and online care that fit busy lives
Heather uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on concrete skills and healing. One common approach focuses on building coping skills for anxiety and stress by teaching breathing, grounding, and behavior changes that reduce overwhelm in daily life. Another approach addresses trauma by helping people process distressing memories and learn strategies to manage triggers so they can feel more steady day to day. Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Heather works collaboratively to identify what feels most useful based on your goals, symptoms, and preferences. Together you’ll try methods, check what helps, and adjust the plan to fit your needs. Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to make therapy fit into real life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation for deeper work, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, chat offers quick check-ins, and messaging helps maintain momentum between meetings. These options give flexibility for busy schedules and different comfort levels while keeping the focus on progress and practical change.Questions people ask about Heather
What concerns does Heather commonly address?
She helps people with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, parenting challenges, self-esteem, and ADHD related concerns. Additional areas include caregiver stress, communication problems, divorce and separation, domestic violence, and immigration issues.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is compassionate and practical. Sessions are collaborative and focused on skills you can use between meetings.
What is her background and experience?
Heather has seven years of clinical experience as a licensed marriage and family therapist. She works with people from diverse backgrounds and applies culturally responsive practices.
Where is she licensed and practicing?
She is a CA LMFT licensed in California. Sessions are offered to clients located in California.
Can I meet in a language other than English?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Heather offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options allow flexible ways to check in and practice skills.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Specific pricing details are provided during the matching and scheduling process.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. After that you can schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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