Marcella Santamaria, LCSW, San Marcos, CA

About Marcella Santamaria

Focus areas

Addiction / Substance Abuse

Bipolar Disorder

Gender Affirming Counseling

Anxiety

Couples Therapy

Life Transition

Bereavement / Grief Counseling

Depression

Clientele seen

Teenagers (13-17)

Seniors (65+)

Young adults (18-24)

Individuals

Adults (25-64)

Couples

Treatment approaches

Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)

Culturally Sensitive

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

Dialectical (DBT)

Compassion Focused

Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)

Identity

Gender

Female

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know Marcella Santamaria

Marcella Santamaria, LCSW, helps teens, adults, and seniors across California navigate lifes emotional and relational challenges with warmth, cultural sensitivity, and clinical expertise. Practicing at LifeStance Health, she offers individual, couples, and family therapy, supporting clients through a variety of concerns including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and life transitions. Marcella creates a safe and collaborative space where clients can reflect, heal, and reconnect with their strengths. Marcella is particularly passionate about supporting individuals working through trauma, grief, and midlife or later-life transitions. She has extensive experience helping clients address the lasting impact of painful experiences while building resilience and emotional regulation skills. Whether supporting someone through postpartum depression, relationship challenges, or the evolving demands of aging, Marcella tailors treatment using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness techniques to promote stability and self-empowerment. Marcella is also experienced in working with the LGBTQ+ community and provides gender-affirmative medical readiness evaluations. She offers inclusive, affirming care that acknowledges the complex relationship between identity, mental health, and social stressors. Her approach is relational and grounded in compassion, particularly when serving clients with substance use concerns, school avoidance, or gender identity exploration. In addition to her primary focus areas, she offers psychological testing and care for a wide range of mental health conditions. Outside of her clinical work, Marcella enjoys hiking, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends. Her love for connection and the outdoors reflects the same grounding and balance she encourages in her clients.

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Popular visit reasons

Anxiety Disorder

Depression

New Patient Visit

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit

Therapy

Women's Mental Health Issues

Young Adult Issues

Anxiety Disorder

Depression

New Patient Visit

Psychotherapy

Office location

Marcella Santamaria, LCSW also offers online video visits for patients

LifeStance Health - Southern California- 2

300 Rancheros Dr, Ste 130, San Marcos, CA 92069

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Education and background

Practice names

LifeStance Health - Southern California- 2

Education and training

San Diego State University, Master's in Social Work

NPI number

1710281753

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Frequently asked questions

How soon can I make an appointment with Marcella Santamaria?

Generally, Marcella Santamaria has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Marcella Santamaria's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

Is Marcella Santamaria accepting new patients?

Marcella Santamaria generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Marcella Santamaria's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

Does Marcella Santamaria accept my insurance?

Choose your insurance plan to verify if Marcella Santamaria is in-network.

Can I make an appointment with Marcella Santamaria online?

Yes, you can make an appointment online with Marcella Santamaria using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

What practice does Marcella Santamaria work with?

Marcella Santamaria works with LifeStance Health - Southern California- 2.

Where is Marcella Santamaria's office located?

Marcella Santamaria has 2 office locations in San Marcos, view full addresses on Marcella Santamaria's profile.

What are common reasons for patients to see Marcella Santamaria?

Marcella Santamaria frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Marcella Santamaria on their profile.