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Therapist profile

Christian Maciel

Therapist · California

Calm, practical therapy for relationship and mood struggles

Continue with Christian

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Christian Maciel
Credentials
LMFT
License
LMFT, California · 49068
NPI
1629302336
Experience
25 years
Languages
English, Spanish
Location
California
  • Evidence-based methods
  • English and Spanish
  • 25 years experience

About Christian

Christian Maciel is a licensed marriage and family therapist with 25 years of experience helping people manage stress, anxiety, depression, and relationship patterns. He uses straightforward talk and practical tools to help people feel steadier and more in control. Sessions are offered in English and Spanish and reflect a respectful, nonjudgmental stance.

He often works with people dealing with attachment wounds, abandonment, codependency, and the aftermath of trauma and abuse. Christian helps clients notice unhelpful patterns, practice new ways of relating, and build small habits that make daily life easier. He combines several evidence-based methods to match what each person needs.

Christian draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to identify thoughts and behaviors that keep problems stuck. He also uses Attachment-Based and Client-Centered approaches to explore relationship history and personal meaning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills are used when people need tools for emotion regulation and distress tolerance.

Over his career he has supported people through caregiver stress, chronic illness, body image concerns, and major life transitions like divorce and separation. He explains ideas plainly and gives concrete practices to try between sessions. Christian emphasizes collaboration - clients set goals and he helps track progress.

Christian holds the LMFT credential, which is listed as CA LMFT for his California license. He brings multicultural awareness to his work and aims to create a space where clients feel heard and understood.

How Christian’s Approaches Translate to Online Work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emphasizes noticing thoughts and learning to act in line with personal values. It can help with anxiety, low mood, and patterns like codependency by clarifying what matters and building small, value-driven steps.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. In sessions clients identify unhelpful thinking, test it, and practice new behaviors to reduce symptoms like worry and avoidance.

Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape current patterns. It helps people understand why they repeat certain relationship habits and how to try different, healthier ways of connecting.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will listen to your goals and preferences and recommend methods that fit your needs. This is a collaborative process where goals are set together and adjusted as progress is made.

The biography does not list specific session formats, so please confirm available options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they can fit therapy into a busy day, avoid travel time, or use shorter check-in meetings when schedules are tight. Online work still focuses on practical skills, emotional clarity, and steady progress toward the goals you and the therapist set together.

Areas of expertise

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDependent personalityDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessForgivenessGuilt and shameImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsNarcissismPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Existential TherapyGottman MethodMindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapySystemic Therapy

Experience

25+ years

Credentials

California

Languages

English, Spanish

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does this therapist commonly address?

He helps people with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and self-esteem. Additional focus areas include codependency, attachment issues, caregiver stress, and communication problems.

What is the general therapy style here?

Sessions are collaborative and practical. Christian mixes conversational, client-centered work with skills-based approaches to address feelings and behavior.

How much clinical experience does the therapist have?

The profile notes 25 years of clinical experience supporting people through emotional and relationship challenges.

What credentials and location are listed?

The therapist holds an LMFT credential and is listed as CA LMFT for California practice.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish. International clients are not currently accepted.

What session formats are offered?

The original biography does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options with the therapist before booking.

How are fees and billing handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with this therapist?

Choose the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Christian MacielContinue with Christian