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Dr. Mercedes Santana, PhD, Counseling Psychologist

Cultural Identities

About Dr. Mercedes Santana, PhD, Counseling Psychologist

I am a trauma psychologist deeply committed to offering culturally affirming, trauma-informed therapy to the Latinx and Afro-Latinx community. Rooted in the understanding that therapy is an ancient and sacred practice, I create a healing space where liberation, resilience, and deep truth come to life.

Drawing from over a decade of clinical experience, my approach is rooted in a liberation-centered perspective shaped by my training, lived experience, and cultural insight. I’m deeply committed to increasing access to mental health providers who truly honor the rich complexities of race, ethnicity, identity, and trauma in our communities

I primarily serve adults ages 18 to 45, including mothers, artists, therapists, medical professionals and residents, eldest daughters, first-generation college students, dreamers, leaders, and academics or researchers. My work honors the unique pressures, cultural expectations, and strengths within these roles, offering tailored support to help you navigate your personal and professional journey with resilience and self-compassion.

My therapeutic approach goes beyond traditional evidence-based methods—I bring my whole self to our work together. I continuously decolonize my clinical practice by unlearning harmful norms and reclaiming ancestral healing traditions that honor our rich cultural heritage. When you work with me, you will find a genuine, transparent, and empowering partnership, rooted in ancestral wisdom and cultural respect.

Therapy with me is a collaborative journey focused on your growth, healing, and empowerment. I offer more than just talk therapy—I provide tools, affirmations, and a deeply supportive space where your voice is heard, validated, and celebrated. This safe environment is especially designed for Latinx and Afro-Latinx clients navigating cultural stigma, intergenerational trauma, and systemic barriers.

I offer HIPAA-compliant virtual therapy, so you can access compassionate, culturally competent care from the comfort and safety of your own home. Whether you are dealing with trauma, identity challenges, or emotional struggles, you deserve a therapeutic space where you are seen, heard, and valued.

Your healing journey matters. Your well-being is sacred. Together, we can cultivate resilience, restore hope, and empower you to live fully as your authentic self.

Techniques/Modalities

  • Affirmative Therapy
  • Ancestral Healing
  • Attachment Informed Therapy
  • Brainspotting
  • Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
  • EMDR
  • Feminist Therapy
  • Liberation Psychology
  • Psychodynamic
  • Relational Therapy

Specialties

  • Abandonment
  • Anxiety
  • Attachment Challenges
  • Birth Traumas
  • Burnout
  • Career Counseling
  • Career Uncertainty
  • College Students
  • Colonialism and Capitalism
  • Complex PTSD
  • Cultural Identity
  • Depression
  • Developmental Traumas
  • Divorce and Divorce Adjustment
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Estrangement
  • Family Conflict
  • First Generation
  • Grief & Loss
  • Identity Issues
  • Inner Child Healing
  • Interpersonal Issues
  • LGBTQ+
  • Life Transitions
  • Organizational Wellness Consulting
  • Racial Trauma
  • Relationship Issues
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Workshops

Office Details

  • Free Consultation
  • Online Services

Licenses

License

Licensed Psychologist

License Number

6414

State Issued

Minnesota

Education

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
  • PhD

Gallery

States Licensed In

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Fees

Fees

150-225

Insurance

Aetna
Optum
Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solution (Premium EAP)
Optum Live & Work Well (EAP)
Sliding Scale
UMR
UnitedHealthcare
  • Aetna
  • Optum
  • Optum Emotional Wellbeing Solution (Premium EAP)
  • Optum Live & Work Well (EAP)
  • Sliding Scale
  • UMR
  • UnitedHealthcare
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Practice Details

Therapist Languages

Hablo Español

Services For

Clinical Supervision, Individuals

Client Age

Young Adults (18-25)
Adults

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“Your email will be sent to the mental health professional. Latinx Therapy does not read your email. Please note that email communication may not be entirely secure. Sending an email through this page does not guarantee that the recipient will receive, read, or respond to it and spam filters could prevent its delivery. We recommend you follow-up via the mental health therapist’s practice if you do not hear back.”

If this is an emergency do not use this form. Call 911 or your nearest hospital.