Brenda Santillan LMFT

My name is Brenda Santillan and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist based in Los Angeles, CA, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adults ages 18-60 and specialize in anxiety, stress, depression, trauma, and LGBTQIA+ issues using person-centered, trauma-informed psychotherapy to assist clients in healing

My approach
As a therapist, my approach varies based on the needs of each client I work with. I most frequently use more personal-centered, psychodynamic as modalities to help me understand a client’s point of view.

My focus
I typically work with young adults ages and adults (ages 18-60) dealing with family concerns, depression, anxiety, trauma, developmental concerns, LGBTQIA+, communication concerns, religious trauma, and or self-harm. I work to help my clients navigate their current stressors and develop new forms of coping.

My communication style
My communication style is calm, accommodating, and personable. I want clients to feel comfortable which may even mean some swear words here and there. As we meet the style of communication will be shaped in the best way that fits clients.

My journey to mental healthcare
My path to becoming a clinician was shaped by my earlier work as a Special Education teacher, where I often advocated for families and recognized their need for accessible, culturally responsive mental health services. This realization led me to pursue my MFT at USC, after obtaining my Master’s in Urban Education at LMU. Today, I am committed to celebrating diversity and fostering meaningful, supportive connections with my clients as they navigate life’s challenges.

My goals for you
My work as a therapist is centered on providing a positive experience that is tailored to your current needs and stressors. I work from the perspective of helping the individual living within the community. What that means is I look at the collective of events, and stressors that may be impacting you (work, school, family, racism, sexism, culture) to better increase your strengths to manage those stressors. My goal is not to “fix” you, but rather shine the light on the strengths you already own. I see myself not as your teacher, but as an advocate to help increase your self-understanding to get you back to feeling balanced. As a team, I work with clients to identify the goals that they would like to achieve in this chapter of their therapy.

My first session with you
My first session will feel a little different from other sessions. In the first one, we spend time getting to know each other, and I may ask you questions regarding your life. The first session is all about building connections to set a positive experience.